%2d outputs a decimal (integer) number that fills at least 2 character spaces, padded with empty space. %6.2f outputs a floating point number that fills at least 6 character spaces (including the decimal separator), with exactly 2 digits after the ., padded with empty space. Good for dollar and pound currency amounts.
Asteroid hurtles towards earth. Scientists were today, January 4th, 2014, warning of a possible asteroid collision with the Earth.
Impact event. A major impact event releases the energy of several million nuclear weapons detonating simultaneously, when an asteroid of only a few kilometers in diameter collides with a larger body such as the Earth (image: artist's impression). An impact event is a collision between astronomical objects causing measurable effects. Impact events have physical consequences and have been found to regularly occur in planetary systems, though the most frequent involve asteroids, comets or meteoroids and have minimal impact. When large objects impact terrestrial planets like the Earth, there can be significant physical and biospheric consequences, though atmospheres mitigate many surface impacts through atmospheric entry. Impact craters and