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Coincidence of meteor strike and close asteroid approach at same time.
Posted:
Feb 17, 2013 10:26 AM
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I really don't like coincidences in science. Reports are asteroids
the size of 2012 DA14 getting this close occur about once in 30
years. And meteors the size of the Russian one enter our atmosphere
about similar frequency. But the problem is their both occurring in
the same 24 hour period. If you imagine the asteroid arriving on a
particular day, the question to ask is what is the probability of the
Russian meteor arriving on that same day? Once in 30 years, and then
365 days in a year, means the chance of this happening is like 1 in
10,000. That's disturbingly unlikely.
On the other hand if this really is just coincidence, then it should
be kept in mind that chances this low have been quoted in regards to
large asteroids impacting Earth in our lifetime.
Bob Clark
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