Please note that some sites require users to register before reading an article. Due to the short shelf-life of articles, the direct link may not be valid. We also provide the publication's URL to request an archived article, usually for a fee, if you want to read one in its entirety. We strive to provide the latest commentary and, at times, that requires registration. As often as possible, we will try to send you to registration-free sites.
"Dealing With Threatening Space Rocks"
The European Space Agency is planning a mission to study a possible course of action against potential meteorite impacts.
The mission, named “Don Quixote,” would send out a spacecraft to monitor an asteroid for several months, and in the next phase send out another spacecraft for the purposes of crashing into the asteroid while the first makes observations.
Space Daily – Staff Writers, September 21, 2007
www.spacedaily.com
"The threat of killer space rocks"
According to a recent study, both the U.S. and China are the most likely places on the planet that a meteorite will hit. Due to a lack of funding, however, tracking programs may not be able to detect hazards far enough ahead of time to prepare or take preventative action.
CNN.com – Kevin Krajick, August 22, 2007
www.cnn.com
"Ancient Meteorite Debris Found In Minn."
Geologists in Minnesota discover effects from the distant past of a meteorite impact that originated 500 miles away in Canada. “It may reveal some secrets about the impact that other discoveries haven't yet,” states geologist Mark Jirsa.
CBS News – July 16, 2007
www.cbsnews.com
"China and US at highest risk of damage from asteroids"
According to preliminary new research, the US and China are the countries most vulnerable to damage from future asteroid impacts; Sweden, Canada and Japan were ranked third through fifth, respectively. These risk assessments are the result of a new computer model that analyzes combined impact effects such as tsunamis and earthquakes with data on population density and infrastructure location.
NewScientist.com – David Shiga, March 27, 2007
www.newscientist.com
"Proposed Mission Will Return Sample From Near-Earth Object"
A team of scientists recently won a $1.2 million award from NASA to develop a mission to acquire a sample from a NEO to bring back to Earth for study. The team expects to launch in 2011, acquire a sample of NEO RQ36 in 2013, and return it to Earth in 2017. In addition to providing material for analysis about the formation of life in the universe, the mission will also help to better track the orbits of asteroids that might hit Earth by accurately measuring the “Yarkovsky effect” for the first time.
SpaceDaily – March 11, 2007
www.spacedaily.com
"Funding Woes Halt Plans To Search Out Potential 'Killer' Asteroids"
While NASA is currently tracking asteroids that are at least a kilometer across, it has been unable to secure funding to search out smaller Near Earth Objects (NEOs). Smaller NEOs with a diameter greater than 140 meters (460 feet) still have the potential to devastate a significant area of land; scientists estimate there are 20,000 of these that could potentially collide with Earth.
SpaceDaily – March 9, 2007
www.spacedaily.com
"Scientists Working To Deflect Asteroids Threatening Earth"
A team of scientists and engineers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are conducting research that could one day save humanity from Earth-threatening asteroids. The UAH Laser Science and Engineering Group is conducting research into characterizing and deflecting asteroids using laser-based applications.
SpaceDaily – February 22, 2007
www.spacedaily.com
"Spacecraft Could Be Used To Deflect Killer Asteroids"
Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s annual meeting, NASA astronaut Edward Lu said the most viable tactic to deflect a dangerous asteroid is to use an unmanned spacecraft to alter the asteroid’s trajectory with its gravitational pull. “It would be positioned hovering in front or behind, with the intention to drag the asteroid off its trajectory with gravity,” Lu said.
SpaceDaily – Rob Woollard, February 16, 2007
www.spacedaily.com
Read Archived Articles
