13 April, 2036 eh? well I don't have too much planned for that day anyway.

You REALLY want to watch a movie called....Arsenal of hypocrisy....oh here it is :) http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-48359660271548...

To protect the world, they should rename the thing. I think the title "Marshmallow 1" would assuage a lot of fear.

Does nobody trust our Science "Boffins" to have come up with some kind of "Plan B"! Besides its my Birthday on the 14th an I was planning a big reunion over there with streamers,balloons.....and some 3 mile wide Asteroid hurtling at over 28,000 m.p.h. wasnt on the guest list!

Well at least its not on a friday the 13th

it's our solely resposibility not to save our selves but our coming generation to.because god has given a beautiful mind to protect everybody,if have interest in science you can read a good book of astronomy and all this phenomenon will looking real.

It is Friday, April 13 in 2029 when Apophis makes its
first close pass. They should use the Yarkovsky effect.
Simply collect all those nearly-empty tins of white paint from around the world. Then launch them to cover one side of Apophis. Celestial grafitti works wonders.

I will be gone or demented by that date.
"Bring it on" I say.

Evert one stand up, throw their cushions at it and shout "Go away nasty asteriod."

#10 Ditto Paul.

Apophis, eh? Wasn't that the System Lord, Stargate SG1 stopped (several times) from destroying Earth??

There's the plan then .... go to Egypt, find the Stargate, get it deciphered and up and running and send Jack O'Neil, Sam Carter, Daniel Jackson and Teal'c t deflect Apophis' asteroid. They've already done it in the series!

Good plan. And we've got over 20 years to deal with it! Cool .... so why worry?

Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99942_Apophis

*a wee note ... Apophis was not actually a god. He was the spirit of destruction.

A new evil plot, hatched in Iran, Iraq and North Korea by Saddam's disciples! Will the US and Tony Blair please invade the asteroid and save the world!

Oh Baldrick I am listening!

Hey Manuel......do something about it man!

NASA out drumming up business again. Not enough money coming from US gov't so they are using their scare tactics on the rest of the world.

I blame global warming.

Anybody know what Bruce Willis is doing that day?

It might be a big potato and we will be able to feed the world.

A giant harpoon . I'm hitching outta here.

#21 Depends which greedy country it lands on . I feel an invasion comin on.

What possible plan could stop or even deflect an asteroid.

If they think a rocket will stop it then rest assured what ever goes up must come down. The asteroid will fragmnet.

A plan my ar--.

Is the 13th April Friday by any chance?????

Well, it's not going to matter, because some muslim fellas believe the world is going to end in 2010......

Bloody Council, they can't do anything right.

Just to give you another scare. Lumps of rock big enough to wipe us all out come close to the earth (about the distance of the Moon) at a rate of about one every week.

Don't get the politicians involved. They'll still be arguing about what colour the spaceship should be painted when they thing strikes.

#26 No, Fox Mulder told me it was 2012. It can't be 2010 because South Africa's got the World Cup then, and Pres. Mbeki has assured Sep Blatter that everything will be alright on the night.

Well in 2036 I'll be over ninety if something else does not take me off in the meantime.

However for youngsters who in 2036 will be coming up to retirement, it will be a question whether to save for their old age or not

wat happens when the astroyd is moved to adifferent orbit to miss earth and then collides with asteroids that pose no threat but then become one so then we have to stop a few more and so on and on and on and onnnnnnn///

#20 Filling his colostomy bag.

I know that science is the new religion for most people these days and the scientists can't get it right in their decisions. Why not leave it alone?

Oh goody, that will resolve the greenhouse gas issue
but until then the easy solution is less people. Scotish population target 3M UK target 36M Chinese target 600M

That would mean we do not need a new Froth road Bridge or new houses

Don't fret folks. Gordon has a plan. He is going to tax the asteroids so much that they won't want to come near earth.

You heard it here first.

Scarmouche, I got a far as Apophis and I thought the same thing.

Sounds like a job for SG-1!!

Although it would be a cliche, after all Friday the 13th, oooh.

good day to light up a last ciggy, our leaders have made such a mess of the world anyway, doubt we will have any oxygen laft or clean air by then.

tsk...tsk

tsk...tsk

Did ya notice the 1 in 45,000 chance? And the "at least 38 potentially hazardous encounters with rogue asteroids" between "now and 2079"?

Can you say "job security for astronauts"? I mean, are 38 spacecraft really going to be launched on more difficult missions than any up 'til now?

Nah. Odds are that before they even get around to making the proposal to the UN in 2009, the orbit will be recalculated and it'll be discovered this ain't nearly so dangerous after all.

I mean, Earth isn't actually hit by 38 asteroids every 73 years. It's more like one in a thousand.

I know how to move the asteroid on a course to impact the sun. They should pay me. Besides, I need the money.

Apollo 9 orbited THE MOON ??? I think not, unless history has somehow changed herself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_9

I suppose this is the best we can expect of modern jornalism.

It's televison, dammit. The brutes are bein' drawn from all quarters of the known universe! The odds of bein' hit are risin', right along with the warmin' waters! Bein' optomistic about it, though, the things'll hit a big pond, most likely splash water on power generators, shortin' out the system, thus blowin' fuses in the sets! See whatcher addictions getcha? Oh, ah bit ma tun.

90% OF THE ABOVE COMMENTS ARE UTTERLY ASSININE, AND REFLECT THE OSTRICH OUTLOOK OF MOST OF THE HUMAN INHABITANTS OF THIS PLANET WITH REGARD TO REAL DANGERS.
INSTEAD OF LAUDING & SUPPORTING THESE PRESCIENT & BOLD EFFORTS, MOST MAKE JOKES ABOUT THE IMPENDING REALITY, WHICH THREATENS US, MUCH MORE THAN ANY TERRORIST, WAR, OR GLOBAL WARMING DISTRACTIONS.
ONLY DINOSAURS ARE STUPID ENOUGH TO BE WIPED OUT BY ROCK.

45. Yeesh! no need to shout! Besides I really like the idea put forth by #14 Sgritheall - we'll send BushCo and B-Liar up to save the world from the evil satan that is the asteroid - and if you're not with us, you're against us...
Only humans are stupid enough to be wiped out by their own greed

How can the government use this to make their case for Road taxes?

ZAPPA - you astound me. You have a plan to save the world using ostriches? This truly is lateral thinking. Are we going to tickle these asteroids with an ostrich feather perhaps? I've heard that if we catch an asteroid early enough, it will be sufficient to break wind on it only once to change it's direction enough to miss earth. Farting ostriches? Man that's a stroke of genius.

You talk of dinosaurs in the present tense - I bet you have you found some. I believe there may be some on a remote island somewhere called Jurassic Park - my boy says he's seen them on the telly. You can't get anything past our Lisa - I'm far too smart for that.

Anyway I feel I can relax now - glad you're on the case. If you post your address I send you a can of beans for your ostrich.

When did you say your release date was?

#45 Zappa: "Only dinosaurs are stupid enough to be wiped out by rock". Frankly, you proved it.
ImaybetotallywrongbutI'ma dancin' fool.

20.36 .... do they mean 24 minutes to 9 tonight ??? If so it's late.

What self respecting lump of rock could be bothered to launch a suicide attack here ... especially when there is so much competition.

TB is looking for something to dae efter his stint as the Bush gimp. Perhaps he could lead a mission to destroy the asteroid, ala Bruce Willis!!

Mind you, he wid jist baws it up, like he's done wi awhing else!!

I think we should all report comment 48 as unsuitable. Lisa was very mean to Zappa

The religous war(s) will have us all dead and gone long before any asteroid hits. World War 3 has already started and most haven't realised it. Iran will nuke Israel, Israel will Nuke Iran and Syria, US will nuke them all again, Russia and China will say, "what the hell" and Nuke everyone else. Like the famous astronomer, Carl Sagan said, " there are enough nukes to blow the planet in half, and after the first wave, the second will just make the rubble bounce !" Global warming, cigarette danger, HIV, Bird Flu, endangered owls, genetic engineering, muslim radicals, bad peanut butter, oil shortage, oil hording, money greed, tsunami, hurricanes, chavez, north korea, ozone layer, etc. etc. - what the heck is a little asteroid, but another way we are all gonna die, so what !!

NASA is planning to send an astronaut (with lots of astro-diapers) and a giant mallet to knock it off course.

At least, we folks here in the United States are protected from this asteroid. The good ole' U. S. Congress is to the rescue. Our new LIBERAL Democratic-controlled Senate and House of Representatives will take care of this large problem. They'll just pass one of those POWERFUL NON-BINDING resolutions, ORDERING this asteriod to "BE GONE." This NON-binding resolution would only cover the United States. The rest of you chaps will have to fend for yourselves. Since I live in the U. S., I will be covered by this NON-Binding resolution.. I feel much better already.

If the asteroid hits the earth and no one is here, will it make any noise?

What if it hits the moon?

Get Bill Gates to move the world out of the way . He will own it all and be in total control by then anyway,so it will be his responsibility as earths newest God.

A somehow appropriate addition to this conversation

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/end.php

The asteroid 2004MN4 was discovered in June 2004 and was considered the most dangereous NEO (Near Earth Object) because its chances to hit the Earth in April 2029 was calculated a 1-in-200 (5e-03).
From June 2004 to December 2004 the asteroid was lost and when rediscovered the chances of a Earth hit climbed as high as 1-in-37 (2.7e-02 or 270,000e-05)!
When its orbit was sufficently well calculated the asteroid received the permanent number 99942 and the name Apophis, being the asteroid 99942 Apophis (2004 MN4).
Luckily from some other observations the astronomers believe that there is no way to Apophis is going to hit the Earth and nowadays its chances is 1-in-45,454 (2.2e-05) in April 2036 instead of in April 2029.
NASA estimates that the likehood of Apophis hit with the Earth is zero or is so low to be effectively zero, based in the Torino Impact Hazard Scale.
According to NASA there are 129 NEOs able to hit the Earth, being the 2007 CA19 one the earliest in March 2012.
Even disregarding Apophis threat, United Nations would adopt procedures for assessing asteroid threats, as suggested by the Association of Space Explorers.

The asteroid 2004MN4 was discovered in June 2004 and was considered the most dangereous NEO (Near Earth Object) because its chances to hit the Earth in April 2029 was calculated a 1-in-200 (5e-03).
From June 2004 to December 2004 the asteroid was lost and when rediscovered the chances of a Earth hit climbed as high as 1-in-37 (2.7e-02 or 270,000e-05)!
When its orbit was sufficently well calculated the asteroid received the permanent number 99942 and the name Apophis, being the asteroid 99942 Apophis (2004 MN4).
Luckily from some other observations the astronomers believe that there is no way to Apophis is going to hit the Earth and nowadays its chances is 1-in-45,454 (2.2e-05) in April 2036 instead of in April 2029.
NASA estimates that the likehood of Apophis hit with the Earth is zero or is so low to be effectively zero, based in the Torino Impact Hazard Scale.
According to NASA there are 129 NEOs able to hit the Earth, being the 2007 CA19 one the earliest in March 2012.
Even disregarding Apophis threat, United Nations would adopt procedures for assessing asteroid threats, as suggested by the Association of Space Explorers.

Shoot Anna Nicole Smith at it. Her most notable appendages should have enough gravitational pull to knock it off course

Earthlings! Fear Not!!! Sorni saved mother earth from harmful martian electromagnetic waves back in 2006 - Mission PHART!
Sorni is the Director of NASA (Northern Andhra Space Association) and is ranked second in the all- time golt superstars list. Balakrishna(another undisputed legend) still stands first.

If the UN has anything to do with the plan it will go as follows.

First they will write up a resolution, threatening to make a resolution against the astroid. If the astroid ignores the resolution, they will wait 3 months and make another resolution stating that the astroid must cease it's current path immediately or face sanctions. Once the deadline for the second resolution passes, an independant entity or perhaps nation will rise to the occassion and attempt to fire rockets at the astroid. This will be followed by an out-pouring of condemnation from the UN. They will decry the entity that took matters into their own hands has no right to unilaterally move against the astroid, but they will fail to offer any constructive alternative to remedy the situation. Consequentialy we all die.

It is a genius idea by stupid scientists. The real solution is to have money to study how to control/change our earth moving path so we can effectively survive from any astroid collision in future. At meantime, it also solves global warming problem.

All of the previous responses are so far off base it is pathetic to read them! The ONLY real solution to this asteroid being deactivated, is to send VP DickCheney up in a private secret launch, with his trusty shotgun, & a box of 12 ga. shell's. He can thereby blast this threat into oblivion!!!!! (Note: He may require G.W. as a guide)

The Gravity Tractor reminds me of Nemesis, a book written by Isaac Asimov long time ago. This is the same scenario and they ultimately use this technique to get the moving object away from Earth.

I wish we have some genius like him in Space exploration to think of a practical solution to it.

So who/how do they decide that it is going to cost £150 MILLION? With cost overruns and under the table payouts and backdoor bags, this could be a financial windfall for a select few.... hmmm..

one-in-45,000 chance of hitting Earth? I wonder what the bookies in Vegas are saying on these odds?

It's a Sunday, not a Friday.

NOT AGAIN!!!!! Was/IS it possible the leading heads of our civilization have found NEW WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION??? Be trusting, earthlings. Our fearless leaders will SPARE NO EXPENSE, nor LEAVE NO ROCK UNTURNED(pun here) to stop any threat to thier job security. There are still many unthought of ways to fund
an expedition to any global threat. We could have a "baby tax", a "sleeping tax", A "not sleeping" tax, a "smoke free air" tax, why, possibly, if this wayward asteroid were to land in your backyard, they could even cite you for possession of an "illegal substance" and "tax" the property owner(s) for toxic pollution. Again, fear not this threat from outer space-our fearless leader's will never fail us. They definitely are "for the people"(& thier tax dollar) They will do everything within thier power to assure mankind a way this asteroid venture can be carried out. Perhap's even a "doggie doo in the park" tax?
I for one, am not the least concerned that our leader's will not protect us from all threats to our security. Once these WMD threats are removed, we can then once again rely on increases in wage's, lessening of taxes, more job's, no more selling out of these same job's to cheap labor, immigration can then be allowed to run rampant, too!
What a wonderful world our leaders have planned for us all. I offer my humble thank's!!

How much is a ticket to Mars these days?

This has not yet been leaked but apparently earth has received a communication from the asteroid and the asteroid claims to be the father of Anna Nicole's baby. Also, the asteroid says its name is not "Apophis", but "Big Daddy".

Too soon, 63, too soon!!!

#19 shut up.

this is retarded, technically you cant predict when something is going to hit the earth, it might be coming this way but it can always change its pull. so stop flipping out about it, until 2036 kthanks.

I'm sure a Senate Sub-Committee will want to hold hearings on this. They will debate on the type of coalition we will need. They should have this all wrapped up around spring of 2037.

To #45...I wonder if dinosaurs were smart enough to find the caps lock key.

As for the asteroid...smoke em if ya got em!