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What would you do if an asteroid half the size of the US hit the earth?

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act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
Well, probably nothing because we'd be dead. The impact of an asteroid that large would be like an atomic bomb approximately 30 times more powerful than Hiroshima's bomb.

Tomorrow an asteroid 1,300 ft long is going to come 1.3 lunar distances from us. Which is pretty crazy because asteroids don't come that close very often and to be an asteroid that large is just pretty amazing. It could be just a bit closer and we'd all be blown to smithereens.

anyways, read more about it here:

http://www.space.com/30954-halloween-asteroid-flyby-facts-2015-tb145.html
Oct 30 2015 11:03AM
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Dadcore
Posts: 237 - Karma: 696
Where's Bruce Willis when you need him?
Oct 30 2015 11:06AM
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crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,184
DadcoreWhere's Bruce Willis when you need him?


Damn I was just thinking this.
Oct 30 2015 11:17AM
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sellinger
Posts: 591 - Karma: 485
Been studying stuff like this in astronomy this semester and it's super interesting. 1.3 lunar distances is actually really close. Although it will pose no actual threat, it's still close. The amount of damage that an asteroid that size could do is astounding.

Studies have shown that an asteroid only 1km in diameter could wipe out the majority of the human population and would end the world as we know it for 200 years or more.

NASA is currently only able to locate around .1% of all asteroids that size. That's a problem considering the amount of damage they could do to the Earth.
Oct 30 2015 11:25AM
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brotherdad
Posts: 2076 - Karma: 13,067
Hey OP,

Here's a map of near earth objects. Have a good one!

Oct 30 2015 11:29AM
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PoLaRpEaK
Posts: 439 - Karma: 555
We are doomed eventually.
Oct 30 2015 12:14PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9215 - Karma: 5,398
Captured asteroid when?
Oct 30 2015 12:39PM
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AWOLASIAN
Posts: 92 - Karma: 163
PoLaRpEaKWe are doomed eventually.


thats why we all ski
Oct 30 2015 12:40PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
An asteroid half the size of the US would be equal to 30 times the Hiroshima bomb? Lol. That would be equivalent to one of the smallest nukes on our arsenal haha. Maybe 3 million times the Hiroshima bomb.

An asteroid that size would have a decent chance of knocking off enough earth to make another moon.
Oct 30 2015 12:49PM
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act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
PoLaRpEaKWe are doomed eventually.


californiagrownAn asteroid half the size of the US would be equal to 30 times the Hiroshima bomb? Lol. That would be equivalent to one of the smallest nukes on our arsenal haha. Maybe 3 million times the Hiroshima bomb.

An asteroid that size would have a decent chance of knocking off enough earth to make another moon.


yeah you're right. my math skills are nah
Oct 30 2015 12:55PM
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sellinger
Posts: 591 - Karma: 485
californiagrownAn asteroid half the size of the US would be equal to 30 times the Hiroshima bomb? Lol. That would be equivalent to one of the smallest nukes on our arsenal haha. Maybe 3 million times the Hiroshima bomb.

An asteroid that size would have a decent chance of knocking off enough earth to make another moon.


No, an asteroid half the size of the US would decimate the planet. Would also depend on how the asteroid impacted the Earth, but if it were a straight on hit, the Earth would explode essentially or have a crater so big that it penetrated the inner layers. Either way the earth would be done.
Oct 30 2015 1:18PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
sellingerNo, an asteroid half the size of the US would decimate the planet. Would also depend on how the asteroid impacted the Earth, but if it were a straight on hit, the Earth would explode essentially or have a crater so big that it penetrated the inner layers. Either way the earth would be done.


How do you think the moon was formed?
Oct 30 2015 1:25PM
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sellinger
Posts: 591 - Karma: 485
californiagrownHow do you think the moon was formed?


Like this. http://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/nasa-scientist-jen-heldmann-describes-how-the-earths-moon-was-formed/
Oct 30 2015 1:35PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
sellingerLike this. http://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/nasa-scientist-jen-heldmann-describes-how-the-earths-moon-was-formed/


Yes. Which coincides with what I said... And you said was wrong lol.
Oct 30 2015 1:40PM
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sellinger
Posts: 591 - Karma: 485
californiagrownYes. Which coincides with what I said... And you said was wrong lol.


Ah, I misunderstood where you were coming from. We both have the same idea and understanding of the asteroid impact, just two different trajectories. If the hypothetical asteroid were to hit the Earth at a straight impact, a lot more damage would occur. If the asteroid of that size were to "clip" at more of an angle, yes, it would basically knock another Moon sized object into space, to put it simply.
Oct 30 2015 1:46PM
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judmaster77
Posts: 176 - Karma: 226
I'd prolly be vaporized
Oct 30 2015 3:14PM
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TheStamos
Posts: 9311 - Karma: 910
californiagrownYes. Which coincides with what I said... And you said was wrong lol.


A protoplanet hitting earth at "low" speed low angle orbit is not the same as a US size asteroid hitting earth from deep space.The planet would be done. smitherines. Like a slug going through an orange in slow motion. nothing would survive, Nothing.
Oct 31 2015 1:49AM
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TheStamos
Posts: 9311 - Karma: 910
californiagrownYes. Which coincides with what I said... And you said was wrong lol.


A protoplanet hitting earth at "low" speed low angle orbit is not the same as a US size asteroid hitting earth from deep space.The planet would be done. smitherines. Like a slug going through an orange in slow motion. nothing would survive, Nothing.
Oct 31 2015 1:49AM
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slimeball
Posts: 592 - Karma: 668
some spooky shit
Oct 31 2015 2:05AM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
TheStamosLike a slug going through an orange in slow motion.




I can't imagine this in slo-mo...
Oct 31 2015 3:43AM
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Mingg
Posts: 13975 - Karma: 49,261
If we survived and it snowed I would ski on it
Oct 31 2015 4:21AM
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Krotchs_Brother
Posts: 1133 - Karma: 3,006
JudMaster4I'd prolly be vaporized


We get it, you vape...
Oct 31 2015 5:50AM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
DINKLEBERGHey OP,

Here's a map of near earth objects. Have a good one!



I was going to say somthing along these lines after it came into our atmosphere it would shrink. Still have an impact though. I'd probally spend my last days on NS making the argument of what people are worth saving.
Oct 31 2015 9:05PM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
JudMaster4I'd prolly be vaporized


vape life
Oct 31 2015 11:09PM
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TheStamos
Posts: 9311 - Karma: 910
JuliusJ


I can't imagine this in slo-mo...


HAHA!!!!!
Nov 1 2015 11:50AM
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safety.third
Posts: 217 - Karma: 459
sellingerIf the asteroid of that size were to "clip" at more of an angle, yes, it would basically knock another Moon sized object into space, to put it simply.


the accretion theory described in that NASA link doesn't really match your explanation here.
Nov 1 2015 1:32PM
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act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
MinggIf we survived and it snowed I would ski on it



if the earth was hit by an asteroid that large like it was said the earth would A. be in smithereens or B. be covered in magma death explosions times infinity and everyone would be dead no matter what unless youre chuck norris or metal mario

if a smaller asteroid hit the earth, which it has (reference: chelyabinsk, russia) the asteroid explodes into millions of little pieces.
Nov 1 2015 4:14PM
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DIX~
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 6,502
1300 ft? Heck, that's not even half the size of my dick, let alone the Earth
Nov 1 2015 4:16PM
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Mingg
Posts: 13975 - Karma: 49,261
butterslut.if the earth was hit by an asteroid that large like it was said the earth would A. be in smithereens or B. be covered in magma death explosions times infinity and everyone would be dead no matter what unless youre chuck norris or metal mario

if a smaller asteroid hit the earth, which it has (reference: chelyabinsk, russia) the asteroid explodes into millions of little pieces.


then i guess i will have to ski in heaven
Nov 1 2015 4:16PM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
Die, probably.
Nov 1 2015 4:38PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
It would only be 30 times more powerful than Little Boy? It was only 15 kilotons while the largest nuclear detonation on earth was the 50-60 megaton Tsar Bomba. It was detonated in a remote region of Russia but still didn't do any external damage aside from dumping a bunch of radiation in the atmosphere
Nov 1 2015 5:39PM
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_69
Posts: 1772 - Karma: 4,979
Situations remind me of this really shitty movie where this big fuckin asteroid comes to earth and shit. Pieces break off and hit prematurely, and these fuckers are still big as fuck. They make like fuckin 3000 foot tall tsunamis and shit. The military tries to nuke the motherfucker but it sort of turns into 'well you just took our problem and gave it a nuke, dank.' It's pretty much like poking a leopard that's about to kill you on its dick. The entire thing ends with a mom and dad kissing while the big fuckin thing plows the shit out of everyone. Cried tbh
Nov 5 2015 1:01AM
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msg
Posts: 1108 - Karma: 3,269
butterslut.if the earth was hit by an asteroid that large like it was said the earth would A. be in smithereens or B. be covered in magma death explosions times infinity and everyone would be dead no matter what unless youre chuck norris or metal mario

if a smaller asteroid hit the earth, which it has (reference: chelyabinsk, russia) the asteroid explodes into millions of little pieces.


DAM u must be smart
Nov 5 2015 6:23AM
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Blindsurfer
Posts: 2252 - Karma: 2,791
definitely would die.
Nov 5 2015 9:21AM
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Blindsurfer
Posts: 2252 - Karma: 2,791
butterslut.Well, probably nothing because we'd be dead. The impact of an asteroid that large would be like an atomic bomb approximately 30 times more powerful than Hiroshima's bomb.


an asteroid half the size of the USA would be a lot more than 30 times more powerful than Little Boy. your math is a little off - It would be powerful beyond comprehension. life on earth would cease in minutes
Nov 5 2015 9:25AM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
Blindsurferan asteroid half the size of the USA would be a lot more than 30 times more powerful than Little Boy. your math is a little off - It would be powerful beyond comprehension. life on earth would cease in minutes


Would it be? how much of that would burn up in the atmosphere while entering earth?
Nov 5 2015 9:44AM
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Blindsurfer
Posts: 2252 - Karma: 2,791
nocturnalWould it be? how much of that would burn up in the atmosphere while entering earth?


quite a bit, but at half the size of the USA, that is almost beyond comprehension
Nov 5 2015 10:02AM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,484
Dick slap hilary clinton
Nov 5 2015 10:23AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51595 - Karma: 161,755
butterslut.Well, probably nothing because we'd be dead.


/thread

Pretty simple
Nov 5 2015 11:14AM
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MomentaryMuon
Posts: 237 - Karma: 2,604
Probably just lay down and die...
Nov 5 2015 12:12PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
Blindsurferquite a bit, but at half the size of the USA, that is almost beyond comprehension


That didn't even remotely answer my question I asked.
Nov 5 2015 4:38PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
nocturnalWould it be? how much of that would burn up in the atmosphere while entering earth?


Depends on the angle of entry, the material makeup of the asteroid, and the general shape/shapes of the asteroid.

The answer would still be: not enough to make a difference.
Nov 5 2015 5:56PM
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act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
dodgeDAM u must be smart


what an insightful response! you have pegged me true my good man. you're a gentleman and a scholar!
Nov 5 2015 9:27PM
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Blindsurfer
Posts: 2252 - Karma: 2,791
butterslut.The impact of an asteroid that large would be like an atomic bomb approximately 30 times more powerful than Hiroshima's bomb


came back just to laugh at this
Nov 7 2015 4:01AM
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act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
Blindsurfercame back just to laugh at this


thats neat. i hope if an asteroid that large strikes the earth, it hits you head on.
Nov 7 2015 12:11PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
Nov 7 2015 12:35PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6656 - Karma: 10,861
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/792412/Discovery-Channel---Large-Asteroid-Impact-Simulation

You can also build an apocalyptic scenario at Purdue University's website that allows you to input your own object parameters: http://www.purdue.edu/impactearth/
Nov 7 2015 1:41PM
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Blindsurfer
Posts: 2252 - Karma: 2,791
butterslut.thats neat. i hope if an asteroid that large strikes the earth, it hits you head on.


same! playing chicken with a celestial body, what a badass way to kick the bucket.

Nov 7 2015 2:37PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
If an asteroid half the size of the US was going to hit the Earth it would fall into a different category than this asteroid, which is a few times larger than the space shuttle. And as said before, the Hiroshima bomb would be like an ant fart compared to an asteroid half the size of the US. Or every nuke combined for that matter.
Nov 7 2015 4:09PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
onenerdykidYou can also build an apocalyptic scenario at Purdue University's website that allows you to input your own object parameters: http://www.purdue.edu/impactearth/


That website is the shit!
Nov 7 2015 4:43PM
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act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
Blindsurfersame! playing chicken with a celestial body, what a badass way to kick the bucket.



okay cool then get bent
Nov 8 2015 12:00AM
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