We are all going to die! [maybe]
 

UN urged to take action on asteroid threat
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 17 (Reuters) - An asteroid may come uncomfortably close to Earth in 2036 and the United Nations should assume responsibility for a space mission to deflect it, a group of astronauts, engineers and scientists said on Saturday.

Astronomers are monitoring an asteroid named Apophis, which has a 1 in 45,000 chance of striking Earth on April 13, 2036.

Although the odds of an impact by this particular asteroid are low, a recent congressional mandate for NASA to upgrade its tracking of near-Earth asteroids is expected to uncover hundreds, if not thousands of threatening space rocks in the near future, former astronaut Rusty Schweickart said.

"It's not just Apophis we're looking at. Every country is at risk. We need a set of general principles to deal with this issue," Schweickart, a member of the Apollo 9 crew that orbited the earth in March 1969, told an American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in San Francisco.

Schweickart plans to present an update next week to the U.N. Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on plans to develop a blueprint for a global response to an asteroid threat.

The Association of Space Explorers, a group of former astronauts and cosmonauts, intends to host a series of high-level workshops this year to flesh out the plan and will make a formal proposal to the U.N. in 2009, he said.

Schweickart wants to see the United Nations adopt procedures for assessing asteroid threats and deciding if and when to take action.

The favored approach to dealing with a potentially deadly space rock is to dispatch a spacecraft that would use gravity to alter the asteroid's course so it no longer threatens Earth, said astronaut Ed Lu, a veteran of the International Space Station.

The so-called Gravity Tractor could maintain a position near the threatening asteroid, exerting a gentle tug that, over time, would deflect the asteroid.

An asteroid the size of Apophis, which is about 460 feet (140 meters) long, would take about 12 days of gravity-tugging, Lu added.

Mission costs are estimated at $300 million.

Launching an asteroid deflection mission early would reduce the amount of energy needed to alter its course and increase the chances of a successful outcome, Schweickart said.

NASA says the precise effect of a 460-foot (140-metre) object hitting the Earth would depend on what the asteroid was made of and the angle of impact.

Paul Slovic, president of Oregon-based Decision Research, which studies judgment, decision-making and risk analysis, said the asteroid could take out an entire city or region.

Source: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N17363374.htm

1 in 45,000 chance of striking Earth

I'll put $5 on it strikes the earth.

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Which is why i said maybe. But it is obviously enough of a chance to the point where they want to set up a defense

dead meat
 

I understand, I've been spending too much time at the sportsbook at ceasars....

interesting how this comes out now during the "global warming facts" propaganda campaign.

more bullshit to put the fear of jevus into you.

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I fear hemorroids more than asteroids

maybe? I have a secret for you, we are all going to die.

I see no connection between this and global warming. Why would there be a propaganda campaign? I think that is a load of shit to be honest

I'd put a billiongazillionmilliontrillion dollars on it not hitting earth. Because if it does, I won't have to pay up, obviously. :O

What the fuck do they want the UN to do about it? Pray to their various gods? Unless the UN has some tech from a hundred years in the future I fail to see what the fuck they could do to stop an asteroid.

who cares, i have no time

positivity is key
 

I'm glad you are looking on the bright side. May the force be with you.


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2036 ahhh. ill be about 60 then so i don't give a fuck.

2036? I'll be 72. If I make it that far, I will worry about it when I get there.

Time to call Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck...we have a mission for you boys :thumbsup

to much tv
 

I don't know. Keeping people in fear of "something" is always a good plan. It's worked very well lately. Just stick some anna nicole shit in between real news and car commercials and you have the perfect crash test dummy to insert any bullshit story about asteroids you want.

TEQUILA !!!

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Gonna be hard to collect your winnings if everyones DEAD. ;)

2036.. I'd be...59 years old.. fuck.. might as well be dead by then anyway. I'll put $50 on it.

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh

yeah lets take bets :) aliens will take all are bets

1 in 45000?

there are many things with a better chance of ending the earth...stop those first

no shit


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wow, that sounds fucked up

it could take out an entire city

hope this doesnt happen....:\

Destroying the human race good be the best thing to happen to Earth anyway.

Here's hoping for a direct hit !!