Asteroid approaching!

So... it's all over the news that an asteroid (called 2011 MD) will pass only 12,000 kilometers from the Earth's surface on Monday. That's pretty close as astronomical objects go, but nowhere near reaching the atmosphere, which extends only about 100 km from Earth's surface.

Some things about the news coverage that caught my attention:

1) The general media is making a big deal about how close it is going to come and statistics about the number of other asteroids that have come that close. NASA's article, by contrast, is entitled "Bend it Like Beckham!" and focuses on how earth's gravity is going to influence the asteroid's path - giving it a kick as if it were a soccer ball! What seems cooler to you?

2) Many reporters are unaware of an important fact about geosynchronous satellites: they are all at the same distance from earth! Blame Kepler's 3rd Law. Asteroid 2011 MD will be passing closer to earth than the geosynchronous satellites - not just some of them, as at least one article said, but all of them! They are all approximately 36000 km from earth's surface, three times further than this asteroid's closest approach.

3) Some people don't trust science. If NASA says it will come within 12000 km of the surface and no closer, then that is what it will do. Gravity is not like the weather. NASA's got gravity figured out pretty accurately. So those of you who think this is "unnervingly close" or "butt-clenchingly close" can settle your nerves and unclench your buttocks. It will be OK.