(YU55)- An Asteroid With A Near Earth Orbit, That Is Far Too Close For Comfort!

All eyes are now open and peering up at the night skies; at something we should all now, be a bit more concerned about. In addition to space debris such as space satellites that have fallen to earth in the past, is asteroid (YU55). The reason being is that In a little less than two weeks time, this large space rock with earth's name written all over it, will make its way into our neighborhood. Yes this space rock, discovered circa 2005 by an astronomer based in Arizona, is slowly but surely hurdling closer toward mother earth's orbit. And I still prefer to call this asteroid a space rock, because it is basically just easier to remember for thing. And on the other hand, when you yell, or mention the word asteroid or even comet, you tend to get people to pay attention to you more. Possibly more people will become bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when they hear that a large space rock, may fall near their homes, any day soo. This may especially hold true, when they learn that this asteroid will barely miss the earth.

At one time or another we have all looked up at the heavens in awe. Our mouths dropping open to Ohhh and Ahhh a total solar eclipse of the sun, or an annual eclipse of the moon. These astronomical sky events of the heavens are without a doubt awe inspiring. However we really do not think about the real threats that some of these other planetary bodies could cause to our planet. Potential threats and hazards caused by a close approach of an asteroid like (YU55), could cause to earth's inhabitants for example.

Not to say that fallen space stations or a satellite cannot cause significant damage. Because they certainly can, if they land in a populated area. At least with an asteroidal body, we have a visual on when this large rock will arrive and in what direction that it iss heading. And another very important point to make note of here, is that-even the smallest of asteroids making contact with the earth in a populated area, will do a heck of a lot more damage than an orbiting satellite; that is going to land somewhere on earth-you can bet on that! If asteroid YU55 were to hit the earth, it would not only make a large hole, that would be approximately 2,000 feet deep and six miles wide. But in addition the impact upon hitting the ground, would result in a force equivalent to that of 65,000 atomic bombs. And this would do more than just shake things up a bit.

Even though this asteroid which will rendezvous with earth on November 8th 2011, will in no way impact our planet in any way, there is always that shadow of a doubt, that it could indeed hit a populated area. It may not make contact with the earth, but at a distance of only 201,700 miles, bringing it between the orbits of earth and moon, this distance, is still very close for an asteroid. Some skeptics have already said that this particular asteroid will land in either the Pacific or North Atlantic Oceans. But as mentioned this is hearsay from just that, a skeptic. Let's assume the shoe were on the other foot though. How would we prepare for such an event, without cause for worry; or have it send a shiver or two down our spines and at the same time scare the dickens out of friends and family?

A 400 meter wide, irregular shaped chunk of rock, like YU55) is certainly nothing to take lightly as pointed out previously in this article. In fact scientific data from the past, points to a comet or asteroid of tremendous proportions. That asteroid or comet during the period of the young earth, most likely struck the waters off of what we now know to be in the Yucatan peninsula near Mexico, from what scientists can conclude. When it did hit earth millions of years ago, it ineminently caused the extinction of the dinosaur population. The dinosaurs never saw what was coming, until it was too late and were all turned to ash and cinder.

The same would hold true for ancient man; if it weren't for the modern technological advances, we currently have here on earth today. These potentially dangerous rocks would not be able to belocated far in advance within the dark voids of outer space. Now they can be picked out among a litter of other less significant space objects, before they can get too close for comfort, to our earth, or even moon for that matter. In addition asteroids like YU55 and larger ones, could be deflected away from earth's orbit before they got too close to our planet.

One such method that has been suggested by scientists in the past, is to send a spacecraft to an asteroid on a collision course with earth. This spacecraft would be armed with a nuclear device which could be launched and ignited upon the surface of this asteroid. The resulting nuclear explosion would inevitably blow it into millions of tiny rock or space debris, incapable of causing any damage below. Hopefully we will never have to resort to this type of destructive power. But if we ever have to go to these extremes to save our necks. It would be much more pleasant, than being turned into a pillar of salt or maybe even ash, like Abraham's wife, Sarah may have been turned into, back during the existence of the cities of Soddom and Gomorrah.

All of us human beings here on earth, should be able to go about our daily activities without concerning ourselves too much with asteroid YU55, this November 8th. According to astronomer's the closest peek that we will be able to get at this particular asteroid, is either through a large pair of field binoculars. Or by looking through a mid-sized or higher power telescope. And even while observing YU55 through a relatively large telescope, this asteroid will still appear to be no brighter than a 11th magnitude star. So in other words, you will not be able to view YU55 with the naked eye, which is able to view objects up to magnitude 6 without optical aid. The readers of this article may also be relieved to know, that there are not other potential threats as far as scientists know, until the year 2028.

And even though asteroid YU55 orbits our sun as a minor planet, once every fourteen years. It is not expected to come this close to our planet again, until a century. But for those among you who may be just a bit more curious about asteroids and minor planets, that may venture undetected into your neighborhood. Than by all means click on the link I have included below to learn all about minor planets, asteroids and other heavenly bodies. And please, by all means do not forget to study the video that depicts the orbit for asteroid YU55.

This link will without a doubt help clarify the path that this asteroid will take, as November 8th quickly approaches. And if after reading this article and studying its contents thoroughly, you still do not comprehend the aftermath that an asteroid like YU55 could cause. Than keep watching the skies my friends-hoping and praying that the 11th magnitude star that you have been observing for the past couple of weeks, does not suddenly turn out to be much larger than life as you awake one morning, trying to rub the sleep from your eyes as you look skyward in disbelief, causing in turn an unusually rapid heart beat, and leaving you nothing further to worry about, but a huge load in your pants.