Astronomers are using the current close encounter as an opportunity to study the asteroid, so they can improve their calculations to predictitsfuture path.
Some give it a good chance of grabbing 100 seats, while others point to its mosaic structure of disparate liberal elements and predict a split in the future.
If they win and the Irish people vote "No", then all bets are off - as the future may prove hard to predict, not just for Sinn Fein but also for Ireland and its relationship with Europe.