Guide to the February 15, 2013 Close Pass by Asteroid 2012 DA14

Planetary Society Director of Projects Bruce Betts reassures us in this brief and fascinating explanation of what will happen--and what WON'T happen--when this big asteroid comes closer to Earth than many satellites.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[planetarysociety]

We're working now to make sure you'll be able to watch the live flyby on this channel or from another source. It will definitely be recorded by several observatories for later viewing.

[assault55]

NASA tv @ 2PM for the live stream of DA14, tracking and views from Australian observatories weather permitting.

[bikemx423]

I think it's headed towards the middle east, bummer...

[James Powlett]

what about the gravitational pull of the earth you didnt mention that would that effect its destination

[Joseph Ricci]

DA14 will also be observeable to scientist as to researching asteroids , will be visible in the southern/sw hemisphere, wonder if it is icy?

[Alecz Eco]

If 2012 DA 14 were to hit earth or the moon do you really believe they would let us know? I remember a story about an asteroid that was never noticed till it passed between the earth and moon. Most of the government went to the Denver airport?

[Zamolxyss]

Well,have some small question marks...How many asteroids exploded except Tunguska supposed one that you heard of?They usually burn and shrink down in size,therefor I don't think so.Next,if it's mostly iron,could be a bummer,so we might consider to hide our magnets during this event.Also,if he's set to hit few satellites,i only hope for 3-4 spy ones,to give us a break for a while.Else,nice video friend,thank you.Let's hope for the best and God bless.

[38legomaster]

The results are true the aestorids are not gonna hit in decades except in some time one day between the months i know because I did my math integers of level of scale if you divide the kilometers of the aestorid and by the closest kilometers of the satellite it will show you that by how close it will be remember the larger number goes in the box while the smaller one outside the box and there you go your answer for the closest kilometers.