Let's not limit our planet destroying topics to Global warming. The odds of our planet being struck by a Comet or Asteroid causing catastrophic damage are one hundred percent. We have all heard it's not if but when. So far I know of only a few programs in the United States and the UK that are dedicated to tracking and finding solutions (NASA Sponsored). What other programs are you aware of? Who else is keeping an eye on the skies and preparing for the inevitable? It seems to me there is not nearly enough attention given to this considering the probable results.
As of August 31, 2006, 4,187 NEO's have been discovered: 57 near-Earth comets and 4,130 near-Earth asteroids. Of those there are 330 Aten asteroids, 1,613 Amor asteroids, and 2,181 Apollo asteroids. There are 792 NEO's which are classified as potentially hazardous asteroids. Currently, 162 PHA's and 838 NEA's have an absolute magnitude of 18 or brighter, which roughly corresponds to at least 1 km in size.
If you are interested in how scientist rate the threats. The Toino scale is a method for categorizing the impact hazard associated with near-Earth objects (NEOs) such as asteroids and comets. 833 Potentially Hazardous Asteroids
As of August 31, 2006, 4,187 NEO's have been discovered: 57 near-Earth comets and 4,130 near-Earth asteroids. Of those there are 330 Aten asteroids, 1,613 Amor asteroids, and 2,181 Apollo asteroids. There are 792 NEO's which are classified as potentially hazardous asteroids. Currently, 162 PHA's and 838 NEA's have an absolute magnitude of 18 or brighter, which roughly corresponds to at least 1 km in size.
If you are interested in how scientist rate the threats. The Toino scale is a method for categorizing the impact hazard associated with near-Earth objects (NEOs) such as asteroids and comets. 833 Potentially Hazardous Asteroids
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