No, they really are not serious. Neither the governments or SpaceX.
For example there is a predicted large asteroid impact in 2104 that can be prevented. But the application of kinetic energy to this threat in 2020 can be done with three orders of magnitude less energy than later in the century.
Is the 2020 opportunity going to be used? Nope.
For example there is a predicted large asteroid impact in 2104 that can be prevented. But the application of kinetic energy to this threat in 2020 can be done with three orders of magnitude less energy than later in the century.
Is the 2020 opportunity going to be used? Nope.
What is the name for this asteroid? Any relevant links?
I was wondering the same.
Apophos, one of numerous extremely dangerous rocks.
https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/sentry/details.html#?des=99942
https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov
General theory of impact speed calculation.
http://www2.mae.ufl.edu/~uhk/ASTEROID.pdf
But these rocks establish over millions of years, a resonance with the orbit of a planet. For example, one may precisely loop then sun seven times, while the Earth loops six times. This happens over and over.
From observations, we calculate the rock's elliptical path. Three observations is the minimum, and the more there are, the more precise the calculation becomes. First it is established that its path in the ecliptic crosses that of Earth (2D). Then it is only a matter of whether it passes in front of the Earth, or behind the Earth, or strikes the Earth.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing this information. Found myself browsing about asteroids for quite some time on that CNEOS link
I am sure that SpaceX rocket tech would be useful for future studies of asteroids.
