Asteroid 2013 TX68, a space rock with highly uncertain trajectory, could pass dangerously close to Earth on March 5, 2016, at a distance of just 11,000 miles (17,000 km), according to NASA scientists.
Doomsday theorists have seized upon the prediction, saying there will be "huge crisis in the spring of 2016."
Following admission by NASA scientists that the trajectory of the asteroid, estimated at about 100-ft-wide (30 meters), is highly uncertain, doomsday theorists have claimed NASA is concealing the fact -- to avoid spreading panic -- that the estimate of 11,000 miles for the possible close approach of 2013 TX68 falls "well within the margin of error for impact."
In other words, NASA is covering up the fact that 2013 TX68 could impact Earth on March 5.
NASA astronomers say that the trajectory of asteroid 2013 TX68, first detected on October 6, 2013, by the Catalina Sky Survey, is very highly uncertain because they were able to track its path in the sky for only three days when it was first detected in 2013. Thus, scientists were unable to collect enough data to accurately plot the asteroid's trajectory or orbit around the Sun.
This explains why scientists are uncertain about how close to Earth the asteroid will pass. Calculations based on available data indicate that at closest approach to Earth on March 5, 2015, TX68 could pass as far away as 9 million miles (14 million kilometers) or as close as 11,000 miles (17,000 kilometers).
Other calculations suggest it could eventually pass at a relatively comfortable distance of 311,000 miles (approx. 500,000 kilometers), about 1.3 times the distance of Earth from Moon.
"The variation in possible closest approach distances is due to the wide range of possible trajectories for this object, since it was tracked for only a short time after discovery," according to NASA.
Meanwhile, NASA scientists have tried to calm fears, saying that despite the possibility of an incredibly close pass, the asteroid poses no danger to Earth. But the vast difference between 11,000 miles and 9 million miles as possible close approach distances of the asteroid has been seized upon by doomsday theorists who claim that NASA's knowledge of the trajectory of the space rock is too scanty, and thus the agency's assurances that the space rock poses no threat could not be reliable.
Rumors circulating in the conspiracy theory blogosphere claim that NASA knows that there is a chance that 2013 TX68 could hit Earth, but the agency is not telling the truth to avoid spreading panic.
David Montaigne, a doomsday theorist, writing on the conspiracy theory website, Beforeitsnews, claims that 2013 TX68 could hit the Atlantic and cause a "tsunami splash." He claims that the estimated close approach distance of 11,000 – 15,000 miles is "well within the margin of error for impact."
"I am certain there will be a huge crisis no later than the spring of 2016, which will allow for chaos, collapse, martial law, dictatorship, and the fulfillment of major end times Bible prophecy by mid-2016. I have been assuming that financial collapse would be the major event that starts the collapse -- but the effects of a major tsunami hitting all Atlantic coastlines could have a major 'impact' too. Keep your eyes on this one -- even a close fly-by should be impressive."
