CNN interview about a near hit by an asteroid

IN early 2000 I had to rush down to CNN in DC to do a studio interview about an asteroid that passed very close to the Earth. This was one of my first TV interviews.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• astronomy
• astronomer
• asteroid
• impact
• cnn
• news
• interview
• phil
• plait
• meteor

[TheBadAstronomer]

That interview was like 10 years ago, so I don't remember. :-)

[re646]

"...could be in a million years, could be tonight. There's really no way to predict."

Well, I know I will sleep better at night.

[autisticgrannyINC]

This was from back before CNN became a shit machine barely a step above fox in terms of journalism.

[DeimosSaturn]

If an asteroid comes really close to the earth, couldn't we attach a probe to it as it passes by and use it's inertia as a free means of traveling out beyond the solar system? Maybe sort of use a net or something like a net to hook the asteroid then it could reel itself to the surface. Or make the probe match the speed and trajectory and enter a stable orbit around the asteroid?

[jhmoonman]

2sillytube; can I go with u! I'll get my iron man suit on, L. O. L. 

[2sillytube]

maybe prepare for possible future events by inhabiting the core of moon

[Halon00bdude1]

hell i will stop it because that time i will be a pilot and i will just say F*** this meteor and my life right now im saving over 8 billion people!! *smiley face*lol

[Meevinman]

about 90% of them yes.

[reidmeyers]

why is phils voice muted...?

[TheBrassHole]

Ok, it's now 2009. So have they discovered "all NEA's 140m and above in diameter" yet? lol :)

[AntiVen0mFangX]

Ah, I remember when CNN did some REAL reporting. So sad that it has become what it is now - A fear mongering, rating whore of a station.

I guess businesses will be businesses huh?

[davidlee110]

is was 2022 but now they say 2029

[BouncingBarnicle]

WAIT, Whaaaaa!? The picture of the asteriod belt at 1:52 is completely wrong! The Asteriod belt is not overcrowded with asteriods!