The Bad Astronomy Blog reports on an asteroid originally identified in 1960 which crosses Earth’s orbit but has been missing since then.

Actually it looks like it’s more of burnt-out comet nucleus, but… you don’t really want that to smack the earth, either.

It orbits the sun once every 4.7 years in an eccentric orbit that takes it from Jupiter in through Earth’s orbit toward the sun, and this November 7th it will come within 6 million miles of Earth… not much to worry about this time, and Bruce Willis’ services will not be required at this time.

(The photo is Star Trek’s George Takei - Mr. Sulu - who recently had an asteroid named after him and has also been guest starring on NBC’s “Heroes”. Go George! Mr. Takei’s asteroid does not cross Earth’s orbit and will very likely not end all life on Earth.)

Via: Bad Astronomy Blog » Potential impacting asteroid found after being lost in the 1960s
[tags]asteroid, comet nucleus, earth impactor, missing, space[/tags]

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