Asteroid Discovery - 1980-2012

March 1, 2013 9:48 AM

Using data provided by the Lowell Observatory and Minor Planet Center, this fascinating video provides a view of our knowledge of nearby asteroids and how closely their paths intersect with Earth's. The voiceover explains the count of objects, and what the colorations mean. [slyt]
posted by quin (15 comments total)

I saw this when it was linked in the Russian meteor thread. It's really well done.
posted by gingerbeer at 9:55 AM on March 1, 2013

"Getting awful crowded in my sky!"
posted by yoink at 10:01 AM on March 1, 2013

This is fantastic. And a little terrifying--surely this can't be any way to run a solar system?
posted by maxwelton at 10:02 AM on March 1, 2013

Wow!
posted by Hobgoblin at 10:05 AM on March 1, 2013

If only we had some kind of triangle floating in space which could shoot at these asteroids and the occasional flying saucer.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 10:07 AM on March 1, 2013 [5 favorites]

In the early 21st Century, the people of Earth built The Eye Of Sauron.
posted by anonymisc at 10:14 AM on March 1, 2013

What's the hurry, Mercury?
posted by rmxwl at 10:42 AM on March 1, 2013

This is a great visualization and narration. And I knew I recognized that voice; Scott Manley is also an expert in the Kerbal Space Program, his videos are the best explanation of Merbal rocket design I've found.
posted by Nelson at 10:52 AM on March 1, 2013 [1 favorite]

Technically a double, although it didn't have the narration back then.
posted by Johnny Assay at 11:26 AM on March 1, 2013

Neat, thanks for posting.
posted by sacrifix at 2:06 PM on March 1, 2013

Now that's what I call a vortex!
posted by aubilenon at 3:43 PM on March 1, 2013

This rocks.
posted by fantabulous timewaster at 4:29 PM on March 1, 2013

“So this is it," said Arthur, "We are going to die."
posted by Blackanvil at 4:29 PM on March 1, 2013

"Hulloo it's Scott Manley here..."
posted by nathan_teske at 5:39 PM on March 1, 2013 [1 favorite]

Scott's the best Kerbal Space Program instructor, evuh.
posted by steef at 7:01 AM on March 2, 2013