03-January-2006, 03:45 PM
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Established Member
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 328
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Earth Fights Back; May Stress Passing Asteroid
From Icarus
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We predict that when Asteroid 2004 MN4 passes 5.6±1.4 Earth radii from Earth's center on April 13, 2029, terrestrial torques during the flyby will alter its spin state in a dramatic manner that will be observable using groundbased telescopes. Although the asteroid will most likely not undergo catastrophic disruption, it may be subject to localized failure across its surface and interior, providing a unique opportunity to measure otherwise inaccessible mechanical properties of an asteroid.
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