"Jim Oberg" wrote in message ...

[snip]

NewScientist.com news service

The closest observed asteroid yet to skim past the Earth without hitting the
atmosphere, was reported by astronomers on Sunday.

The previously unknown object, spanning five to 10 metres across, has been
named 2004 FU162. It streaked across the sky just 6500 kilometres - roughly
the radius of the Earth - above the ground on 31 March, although details
have only now emerged.

Five to ten meters across? Presumably, this was determined by
assuming a certain albedo, and a spherical shape. Even if these
assumptions are off the mark, it's clear that 2004 FU162 is small.
Small and close? That makes me wonder.

A few years ago, it was determined that another near-Earth object was
probably a spent third stage from a Saturn V rocket which had entered
a solar orbit. The New Scientist article doesn't say whether anyone
has investigated the possibility that 2004 FU162 might also be
man-made. Has this been ruled out?

--
Rainforest laid low.
"Wake up and smell the ozone,"
Says man with chainsaw.
John J. Ladasky Jr., Ph.D.