NASA warns two asteroids hurtling closer to Earth than the MOON in 20,000mph

How can Mars be earth-like when it doesn't even have an atmosphere nor oceans nor raw materials. And what are the 'many of the components for life' (presumably you mean human life?) are 'in place' - just give me one example?

 

Trump wants golf at .3 g

 

That's the only reason you joined this site isn't it - to abuse it by constantly denigrating Trump. You're a bloody shameless troll.

 

WHY AMERICA NEEDS TO EXPLORE SPACE
By NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON

The cross-pollination of disciplines almost always creates innovation and discovery. And nothing accomplishes this like space exploration, which draws from the ranks of astrophysicists, biologists, physiologists, chemists, engineers and planetary geologists. Their collective efforts have the capacity to improve and enhance all that we have come to value as a modern society.

http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/read/2007/08/05/why-america-needs-to-explore-space

 

That could've come straight from NASA'S mission statement.

 

Likely because it is accurate, however it is painfully obvious that is unimportant to you and your blissful ignorance.

 

You are so obviously dwelling in purposeful ignorance it is almost sad, but more disgusting.

 

When they eventually complete their orbit in space again, one might wallop Earth.

 

Asteroids don't have orbits do they? I thought they just hurtle through space until they eventually crash into something, or they reach the end of the universe - whichever comes first.

 

I think some do.

 

How can some, but not others then?

 

Is that Mars? Looks more like a part of the Gobi Desert to me!

 

I would imagine that some are from when the planets were made. Also, if you pass the Sun, your straight path gets curved because of gravity. Does that create an orbit?

No idea, I'm not a scientificty guy.

 

@cerberus

All explained here

https://www.space.com/51-asteroids-formation-discovery-and-exploration.html

 

Not surprising....is that you Cerberus? Looks more like an Autistic 4 yr. old.

 

Unless something is captured by gravity it is not in orbit. Said orbit can be so large however that the human lifespan sees it as just flying through space.

 

Thanks - I might get around to reading it one day when I have a few hours to spare. And if I don't forget, which I might well do.

 

We call it gravity.
https://www.space.com/16105-asteroid-belt.html

 

Yes, but all asteroids are subject to gravity aren't they? And how come some of them travel at circa 300.000mph and others float around in space?

 

When it passes a star or large planet, it gets sling shot a little bit more. That's what NASA do with probes to pick speed up to get to the outer planets.

 

Yup, well said. A straight flying asteroid passing the sun might end up being nudged a half degree if that. So now it's in a really big orbit of millions of years. It's likely to pass another object and have its path altered again. And eventually, some will hit. No doubt on my back garden (yard) because I've just built a new shed, so just my luck.

 

Only takes a minute and I have the memory of a sieve as well !!

 

But every time it happened it would adversely affect the trajectory of the probe wouldn't it? It could end up whizzing all around the universe. What's the means of controlling the direction of so-called probes? Is there somebody sitting in mission control with one of these Gameboy gizmos or something?

 

The combinations of Velocity, Trajectory, Celestial body interaction/collision, and the fact that gravity exists for ALL objects as well as many other effects contribute to the path and ever changing movement of EVERYTHING is space. The three body equation is a huge variable in space....study how the Voyager probes were directed.

 

Right. But don't you think that vid you posted looks like the Gobi?