Wednesday 27 December 2023
That's a better name for Net Zero
Nasa launches missions to intercept 'God of Chaos' asteroid surging towards Earth
An investigation has been launched by Nasa into the so-called "God of Chaos" asteroid that could reach the Earth's orbit.
The asteroid, formerly titled Apophis, is due to fly by Earth in 2029.
Now, the OSIRIS-APEX spaceship has been sent to study the asteroid, which about 340 meters wide.
The passing of the asteroid will be a once-in-7,500-year event, according to NASA scientists and may be visible to some with the naked eye.
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4 comments:
"The asteroid, formerly titled Apophis, is due to fly by Earth in 2029."
But Global Warming will definitely get us. We know this because climate science is far more precise and certain than planetary physics.
Sam - that's right, those climate models tell us that Global Warming will definitely nobble us round about teatime on the second Thursday of January 2029. No point worrying about space rocks.
I’m puzzled by the rebranding; it’s been ‘Apophis’ all the way from its early days of fame - when it briefly gave rise to what NASA rather wonderfully described as a ‘potential non-zero impact scenario’ - so why is it suddenly the ‘God of Chaos’?
I imagine some kind of focus group has been involved, but, to my jaded ears at least, it’s all a bit toe-curling; like a teenage garage heavy metal band calling themselves “Dreadmasters” or “Lords of Oblivion”.*
(*My son was briefly in a band; they called themselves ‘Rampage’ but a rather deaf relative misheard it as ‘Armpit’ and they were, alas, forever called that by all their families. This may explain the distinct lack of a stellar career).
Macheath - I think you are right, some kind of focus group has been involved. I imagine ‘God of Chaos’ is merely their headline grabber inspired by a member of the group looking up ‘Apophis’.
On the other hand, it's a good job some NASA wags didn't insert an ancient word for 'Armpit' into the naming system.
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