NASA Statement on Student Asteroid Calculations
- From: baalke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:09:00 -0700 (PDT)
April 16, 2008
Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1726
dwayne.c.brown@xxxxxxxx
RELEASE: 08-103
NASA STATEMENT ON STUDENT ASTEROID CALCULATIONS
WASHINGTON -- The Near-Earth Object Program Office at NASA's Jet
Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., has not changed its
current estimates for the very low probability (1 in 45,000) of an
Earth impact by the asteroid Apophis in 2036.
Contrary to recent press reports, NASA offices involved in near-Earth
object research were not contacted and have had no correspondence
with a young German student, who claims the Apophis impact
probability is far higher than the current estimate.
This student's conclusion reportedly is based on the possibility of a
collision with an artificial satellite during the asteroid's close
approach in April 2029. However, the asteroid will not pass near the
main belt of geosynchronous satellites in 2029, and the chance of a
collision with a satellite is exceedingly remote.
Therefore, consideration of this satellite collision scenario does
not
affect the current impact probability estimate for Apophis, which
remains at 1 in 45,000.
-end-
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