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[cdn-nucl-l] " Asteroid will miss Earth in 2019 "



http://www.nynewsday.com/news/health/sns-othernews-earth,0,3120720.story?col
l=ny-health-headlines
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Asteroid will miss Earth in 2019
The Associated Press

PASADENA, Calif. -- Astronomers said they have determined that a newly
discovered, 1.2-mile-wide asteroid will miss the Earth in 2019.

Last week, preliminary calculations of the orbital path traveled by asteroid
2002 NT7 suggested the space rock had about a 1-in-250,000 chance of plowing
into the Earth on Feb. 1, 2019. Such an impact would cause devastation on a
continental scale.

Follow-up observations during the weekend showed the asteroid and the Earth
won't meet -- at least for now, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion
Laboratory.

Astronomers initially calculated at least seven potential impact dates
beginning in 2019. Only one -- Feb. 1, 2060 -- has yet to be ruled out, but
astronomers expect to dismiss that threat as well after more observations of
the asteroid are made. 

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