Video: Asteroid 2012 DA14's safe passage near Earth on February 15 | Space | EarthSky:

[Coyotl]

Will NOT hit Earth!

Video: Asteroid 2012 DA14's safe passage near Earth on February 15 | Space | EarthSky:
http://earthsky.org/space/video-asteroid-2012-da14s-safe-passage-near-earth-on-february-15

A collection of recent videos from NASA about the upcoming close approach of asteroid 2012 DA14 on February 15, 2013.

On February 15, 2013, it’ll pass very close to Earth – within 17,200 miles (about 28,000 kilometers). It’ll pass inside the ring of geosynchronous weather and communications satellites ....

[Incitatus]

1. Since they lied to the Columbia crew

can we trust that they would tell us the truth if it was was going to hit?

[still_one]

2. Because there is not just one group calculating this. It is world wide. So yes, they are telling

Truth

As far as your assertion that they lied to the Columbia crew, it wasn't the scientists who lied, they took a chance that they should not have taken.

[longship]

3. Who is "they"?

If you do not believe the projections, the observational data is on line somewhere. Work out the orbital parameters yourself. Anybody can do it, if they have the know how. Celestial mechanics isn't a secret, either, so if you do not know how you can learn.

Thousands of amateur astronomers all over the world contribute position reports on known near Earth asteroids. Many have been discovered by amateurs.

None of this is secret, nor could it be kept secret. Science just doesn't work that way.

So, I ask again. Who is "they"?

[Incitatus]

4. Thanks for the information

I didn't know it was that simple to determine. I can be a bit cynical.

[longship]

5. Well, it is kind of rocket science.

But it's basic in undergrad physics. It does involve some vector calculus.