By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
The asteroid that just buzzed by Earth may be a 'real' threat in 2079
5e6662a2cb6a27b9bef57094ef02c408241bb848efaa554ef70e068a9e3f2394
On Thursday, a small asteroid flew by Earth, buzzing by the planets communication satellites. The real threat may come in 2079. - photo by Herb Scribner
This asteroid that just buzzed by Earth may make critical impact in 2079.

On Thursday, a small asteroid flew by Earth, buzzing by the planets communication satellites, according to Quartz.

The asteroid, 2012 TC4, is estimated to be 50 to 100 feet in diameter and flew within 27,000 miles of Earth, nearing the tip of Antarctica.

Scientists were well aware of the asteroid. Instead of panicking, researchers tested out their asteroid detection system as a means of preparing for what could be a real threat years from now, Mashable reported.

"Asteroid trackers are using this flyby to test the worldwide asteroid detection and tracking network, assessing our capability to work together in response to finding a potential real asteroid-impact threat," NASA planetary scientist Michael Kelley said in a statement.

Detlef Koschny, of the European Space Agencys Near-Earth Object program in the Netherlands, wrote in a blog post that his team pretended that this was a critical object and exercised our communication, according to Reuters.

That real threat may come in 2079.

As The Guardian reported, the asteroids future path will be changed by Earths orbit every time it comes close to the planet.

Rdiger Jehn, of the Near-Earth Object program, told The Guardian the asteroid passes around the sun every 609 days.

Its unlikely that 2012 TC4 will hit Earth in 2050. But in 2079, scientists feel it could hit Earth.

We know today that it will also not hit the Earth in the year 2050, but the close flyby in 2050 might deflect the asteroid such that it could hit the Earth in the year 2079, he said, according to The Guardian.

Still, the chances are 1-in-750 of hitting the planet, but its still listed within the top 15 of risky objects that could impact the planet.

We need to make very precise observations to be able to better predict the return in the year 2050, Jehn said.

NASA has already identified 90 percent of objects nearing Earth that could impact the planet.

As of now, NASA does not expect any currently known asteroid, large or small, to hit Earth in the next 100 years, Mashable reported. But like asteroid 2012 TC4, some will pass alarmingly close to our humble blue sphere.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
93cbd7a5475cccd1cee701424125d3abaa9b4beaa58d3663208f656cbbbd7661
A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.