A huge asteroid ‘rub’ Earth on Christmas night
At Christmas play at the sky. And matching two notable astronomical phenomena: a huge asteroid will skim the earth on a night dominated by a nearly full moon it will be to complete the 25th over 30 years did not have a Christmas full moon, a phenomenon It will not happen again for another two decades. The asteroid 163899, only five times smaller than that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, go to 11 million kilometers of Earth but only be visible with large telescope.
It is becoming common to all special nights we visit an asteroid. If Halloween did the Great Pumpkin, on Christmas Eve it is his turn to asteroid 2003 163899 or SD220. Discovered in 2003, this asteroid will pass on Christmas Eve to about 11 million kilometers at the time of closest approach. This is a pretty big subject of more than two kilometers wide “only five times smaller than that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs,” explains Salvador Ribas, Scientific Director of Parc Astronomical Montsec.
Its size could cause serious damage to the earth in case of impact, something that will not happen because it happens about 27 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. Therefore, Ribas reminds fans that will not be visible with a home telescope.
Scientific record
The large study of 163899 have enabled “retail” their behavior and know their way. All this information has led to “a good scientific record”. This is the first of five planned for this asteroid approaches in the next 12 years.
The walk of the asteroid and the distribution of gifts from Santa Claus will be illuminated by a nearly full moon will be full on Christmas day. The special coincidence of a full moon on December 25 had not happened since 1977, according to NASA, will not happen again until 2034.
Courtesy Car Service Barcelona
EXECUTIVE CHAUFFEUR BARCELONA 