We're about to lose a moon!

POSTED BY: Cybersnark
UPDATED: Friday, June 16, 2006 22:51
VIEWED: 4795
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CYBERSNARK

Tuesday, June 13, 2006 2:40 PM

No, not that one. One of the others.

Yes, others.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/09jun_moonlets.htm

Quote:
2004 GU9 is perhaps the most interesting. It measures about 200 meters across, relatively large. And according to calculations just published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (S. Mikkola et al., 2006) it has been looping around Earth for 500 years--and may continue looping for another 500. It's in a remarkably stable "orbit."

Right now, however, researchers are paying more attention to 2003 YN107 for one simple reason: it's about to depart. The asteroid's corkscrew path is lopsided and on June 10th it will dip within 3.4 million km of Earth, slightly closer than usual. Earth's gravity will then give the asteroid the nudge it needs to leave.

(This went right into my "cool stuff" folder, and I had to share.)

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We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

TRISTAN

Tuesday, June 13, 2006 2:45 PM

Shiny!
Thanks for the info. And here I was thinking we only had the one...

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CAUSAL

Tuesday, June 13, 2006 2:50 PM

It must be the Bush administration's fault! Where's Pirate Jenny when you need her?

________________________________________________________________________
I wish I had a magical wish-granting plank.

MSG

Wednesday, June 14, 2006 9:10 PM

hmm so where exactly doe this thing go when it breaks orbit?? oh please please please say it's fox studios executive offices.

You're only young once, but you can be immature any time!

CHRISISALL

Wednesday, June 14, 2006 9:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Causal:
It must be the Bush administration's fault! Where's Pirate Jenny when you need her?

Causal, this is serious, what if it hits the orbiting nuclear platform, or the DUBYA* Net? We 'd be defenseless against an agressor species!

*Defense Under Bombardment Yikes, Aliens!

Vigilant Chrisisall

CHRISTHECYNIC

Wednesday, June 14, 2006 9:42 PM

Here I was thinking that we were the only planet with one moon this side of Pluto.

Damn you, coming in here and shattering my hopes and dreams.

CAUSAL

Wednesday, June 14, 2006 10:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Causal, this is serious, what if it hits the orbiting nuclear platform, or the DUBYA* Net? We 'd be defenseless against an agressor species!

*Defense Under Bombardment Yikes, Aliens!

Vigilant Chrisisall

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

*busts gut*

________________________________________________________________________
I wish I had a magical wish-granting plank.

BSCPANTHERFAN

Wednesday, June 14, 2006 11:04 PM

OK , no one else is saying it, so---

that's no moon, IT'S A SPACE STATION!

So who is he?
He's my husband.
Well who in the damn galaxy ain't!

CHRISTHECYNIC

Wednesday, June 14, 2006 11:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Causal:
It must be the Bush administration's fault! Where's Pirate Jenny when you need her?

Causal, this is serious, what if it hits the orbiting nuclear platform, or the DUBYA* Net? We 'd be defenseless against an agressor species!

*Defense Under Bombardment Yikes, Aliens!

Vigilant Chrisisall

Truth be told I'm more worried that the aliens have set up a base on the larger moon in a stable orbit.

That "remarkably stable orbit" can't be a coincidence, it was clearly put there. It has a surface area of 125,663 alien infested square meters, that might not sound like much but they're mini-aliens and they've had 500 years to become smaller and more deadly.

Thankfully they clearly aren't planning to attack soon, they set up the orbit to last 1,000 years.

Yup, attack of the mini-aliens, that's what worries me.

GUYWHOWANTSAFIREFLYOFHISOWN

Wednesday, June 14, 2006 11:46 PM

if anything's a threat to us it's the Daleks

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/llama.php
-try it out, I dare you

98% of teens have smoked pot. If you are one of the 2% that hasn't copy this into your signature

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