Archaeologica.org

For 15 years, scientists have benefited from data gleaned by U.S. classified satellites of natural fireball events in Earth's atmosphere – but no longer.

A recent U.S. military policy decision now explicitly states that observations by hush-hush government spacecraft of incoming bolides and fireballs are classified secret and are not to be released, SPACE.com has learned.

The satellites' main objectives include detecting nuclear bomb tests, and their characterizations of asteroids and lesser meteoroids as they crash through the atmosphere has been a byproduct data bonanza for scientists.

The upshot: Space rocks that explode in the atmosphere are now classified.

dannan14 wrote:*sigh* Once again the U.S. Government proves that it is incurably stupid.

dannan14 wrote:*sigh* Once again the U.S. Government proves that it is incurably stupid.

Space rocks that explode in the atmosphere are now classified.

dannan14 wrote:Interesting angle EP. i think i'll go see if Drudge Report has covered this.

Nope, nothing there yet. It sounds like the kind of issue he would cover though.

Minimalist wrote:

Space rocks that explode in the atmosphere are now classified.

Perhaps they think that by stamping it "secret" they will not someone from noticing a large rock falling on their head?

I'm with dannan on this one.

Rokcet Scientist wrote:Active misdirection of the media, and public opinion, and sabotaging public accountability and free speech.

That is in direct contravention of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights on numerous counts. Hence it is High Treason.

Assume that a huge "planet killer" asteroid on a direct collision course with the earth has been spotted – nine months before its projected impact. President Barack Obama proposes an emergency program, in conjunction with the Russians, to knock the asteroid off course before it destroys our planet.

The Republicans in the Senate promptly mount a filibuster against the enabling legislation, thereby delaying action, leading to the destruction of the planet and to the end of all human life.

Now for the top 10 reasons why the GOP let the world be destroyed:

10. Didn't want to offend teabaggers who believed Obama was an alien born on the asteroid.

9. Furious over Obama's refusal to declare the asteroid's approach an act of terrorism and then bomb Iran in response.

8. Believed tax cuts for the rich would be a more effective response.

7. Just trying to prevent another big tax and spend government program.

8. Said, "Hey, if the asteroid hits in 2010, it will be during the one year gap when there is no inheritance tax, which means we'll all avoid the 'death tax!'"

7. Trying to save the world sounded like more of that sissy environmentalism crap.

6. Preferred private enterprise based solutions like corporate sales of anti-asteroid ointment.

5. Refused to accept the scientific consensus on the asteroid's trajectory until they had absolute proof in the form of the earth's destruction.

4. Said, "There were no asteroid attacks during Bush's term. So it's Obama's fault and why should we bail him out?"

3. Insurance lobby wanted action delayed until they'd sold more "asteroid policies" (payable only in the event everyone on the planet was killed in an asteroid impact and if claim was then promptly made thereafter).

2. Wouldn't support Obama's proposal because the asteroid protection would have applied to illegal aliens as well as U.S. citizens.

And the number one reason why the GOP let the world be destroyed . . .

1. Allowing Obama to save the world could have helped the Democrats in the 2010 and 2012 elections and even the apocalypse was better than that!

Note: If you look closely, you'll see that there are actually 12, not 10, reasons given. Somehow, when it comes to right-wing lunacy, 10 just isn't enough.