[tschmidlin]

This is one of the crazier things I've heard - not that it exists, but I don't think I understand the orbit, even with the accompanying animation . . .
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/WISE/news/wise20110727.html
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/WISE/news/wise20110727vid.html

[alikocho]

I'm not sure I understand this, but I did just ask a theoretical astorphysicist (my best friend in High School) and he said that it is possible based on magnetic ossilation in the asteroid.

He can also mathematically prove that stars twinkle by some means.....

[phillamb168]

I'm not sure I understand this, but I did just ask a theoretical astorphysicist (my best friend in High School) and he said that it is possible based on magnetic ossilation in the asteroid.

He can also mathematically prove that stars twinkle by some means.....

That one's easy - atmospheric aberration.

[1vertical]

I can't wait for this movie to be produced. It is about an asteroid that shows up in earth orbit...
read the book WAY WAY back when....now perhaps they will make a flick...

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/eon/player.php?entry_id=77140

[alikocho]

I'm not sure I understand this, but I did just ask a theoretical astorphysicist (my best friend in High School) and he said that it is possible based on magnetic ossilation in the asteroid.

He can also mathematically prove that stars twinkle by some means.....

That one's easy - atmospheric aberration.

So I hear. I don't pretend to understand it. He used to do my math homework for me just to see how fast he could finish it.

[a10t2]

Trojans are asteroids that orbit a massive object (the Sun), but have been attracted to the Lagrange points of a less massive object (the Earth). I think it's L4 in this case, but don't quote me on that. Essentially, what's happening is that if the asteroid "fell behind" in its orbit, the Earth's gravity would tend to speed it up, and if it "got ahead" the Sun's gravity would tend to slow it down.

Edit: After looking at the animation, it appears that's it's actually orbiting our L5.

[rabid_dingo]

Saw that when I saw that Russia is planning on dunking the ISS in the Pacific in 2020...

[Kit B]

I thought maybe Tom was posting an ad for a new, astronomically-large condom.
Disappointed.

[Slowbrew]

I can't wait for this movie to be produced. It is about an asteroid that shows up in earth orbit...
read the book WAY WAY back when....now perhaps they will make a flick...

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/eon/player.php?entry_id=77140

The site is down for maintenance right now but if this is for the book Eon it would be a very interesting movie.  Read the book years ago and really enjoyed it.

Paul

[punatic]

I thought maybe Tom was posting an ad for a new, astronomically-large condom.
Disappointed.

Or a new Preparation H competitor?

I have a friend and fellow Scout leader who is an astrophysicist up at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope.  I'll see if he can shed any more light on the nature of da buggahs.

After looking at the animation, it appears that's it's actually orbiting our L5.

I hope so, James Webb is planned to be parked at L2