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Keeper of the Objects
cEnTiBeE writes that this is "not about the Matrix," but rather about Near Earth Object tracking. "It's accomplished by a staff of 2.5 people watching to see when any 'vermin of the sky' plan to pay earth a visit. This piece titled Keeper of the Objects is in the August '03 issue of Scientific American."
2 and a half people? Cool. I wonder what the midget does.
The scary ones are where the scientists watch them for a week, and only see the size grow, with no apparent movement across the sky.
If only they got 1/10th of the budget of the hollywood films.
There are only a few things that hollywood does get right with respect to science, and this in particular.
1. We are presumably now at the first time in history that something could be done to avoid such a cataclysimic event.
2. Early detection is the key, It is far easier to deflect something millions of miles away, than it is when it is 4 minutes from impact.
I would place the protection of our planet from those things that would kill us all, as far more important than ensuring people didnt cheat on their taxes, and arn't sneaking booze in on the airplane, but, I dont choose where the tax dollars go... yet.
paul reinheimer
Remember, the total number of people involved in watching the skies for potential Earth impactors is fewer than the staff of one shift of a modest McDonald's restaurant.
Actually there is a lot more than 2.5 watching the skies. The Minor Planet Center takes data from amatuers as well as their own automated telescope. It is true that the MPC keeps and processes the data. Although ametuers are known from time to time to do their own orbital calculations.
I'm glad this guy has a good grasp on the subject, since most people don't seem to realize asteroids probably represent the most immediate threat of extinction to the human species. He should exaggerate a few more threats, so that someone actually starts contributing money to finding out ways to prevent the impact of an asteroid. All current /.ers will be dead by the time a big asteroid probably hits, but we should still have a plan.
10m - every 1-5 years
100m - every 1000 years
1km - every 100,000 years
The Tunguska blast of 1908 was a roughly 100m asteroid, hitting land.
If it had been an ocean impact, it would have produced significant tsunamis.
On the remote chance it had landed right on top of a large city, then the city would be completely gone.
A 1km asteroid would wipe out a moderate US state, or create tsunamis that travel to most of the globe. Either way it would affect the climate due to dust clouds.
The observational population census for Earth crossing objects is only complete for objects in the 8-kilometre diameter range (such as 1627 Ivor) or larger. The detection completeness for 1 kilometre range is estimated to be in the region of 12%.
(further reading is here)
Maybe it's worthwhile upping the budget so we can track all of them down to 1km ?
-- the only thing we have to fear is really scary things