Asteroid 2055 YU55

Asteroid 2055 YU55

"The closest it came to Earth was 201,700 miles away."

Monday, November 7, 2011 was an exciting day for astronomers. It has been speculated for years that one day the Earth will be brought to an end. The end of the world is a topic that people never seem to tire of. Many people have thought that this would happen with an asteroid. Movies have been made about it, books have been written about it and many conversations and debates have been about the destruction of Earth by an asteroid. Much of this speculation was made jokingly, never imagining it could actually happen. The destruction of Earth is something that movies and books use to entertain us. However, on Monday, an Asteroid 2005 YU55 that was over 1,300 feet wide passed by Earth. The asteroid was closer to Earth than the moon was during that period of time. The closest it came to Earth was 201,700 miles away. While the asteroid came closer to Earth than one ever has in the past, NASA insists there is no need to be concerned.  While studying the great asteroid, NASA claims 2005 YU55 is incapable of hitting Earth within the next several hundred years. The next expected large asteroid is supposed to happen in 2028. Even though NASA reports that the destruction of Earth by an asteroid is unlikely, at least in the next several hundred years, this even has many people worried. More preparations are being made by survivalists. The people who call themselves survivalists are prepared for the end of the world. They feel that through preparation, they can survive anything. Then there are the people who take a wait and see approach. How are you handling this event? Are you thinking it is a sign of the end of the word? Do you think it was just a close call?