September 19 Another Asteroid That Won't Hit Earth
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This illustration shows the positions of Earth and asteroid 2007 FT3 on October 3, 2019. Note the space rock’s orbit (not the object itself) does come close to the orbit of the Earth. Image via NASA/JPL.
Why is the internet so chock-full of stories about asteroids on a collision course with Earth? At this rate, we should have been obliterated many times over already. Here comes the newest scare story: asteroid 2007 FT3. No, it won't hit us, either. This post introduces you to some important terminology in understanding a potential asteroid threat. Read it here.
Could a collision between 2 asteroids millions of miles away cause an ice age on Earth, some 460 million years ago? A new study of earthly rocks and sediments - plus micrometeorites that fell in Antarctica - suggest it's possible. Read more.
Loki, the largest volcano on Jupiter's moon Io, erupts on a more or less regular schedule. Planetary scientists are predicting an eruption this month. Here's what we know.
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Our friend Eliot Herman in Tucson wrote this week: "I saw you did red rainbow. Check this out from this year's monsoon, in late August. Red rain at sunset. Amazing to see." It is! Thank you, Eliot!
