(NaturalNews) A group of former astronauts and cosmonauts is urging the United Nations to adopt procedures designed to protect the Earth from asteroid collisions. The Association of Space Explorers is currently most concerned about an asteroid named Apophis, which has a 1 in 45,000 chance of striking the Earth in the year 2036.
Jump directly to: conventional view | alternative view | bottom line
What you need to know - Conventional View• Apophis, which is about 460 feet long, is being monitored by astronomers, who think it may strike the Earth on April 13, 2036.
• The U.S. Congress recently ordered the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to upgrade its tracking of asteroids. This project is expected to discover hundreds or even thousands more asteroids in near space.
• The Association of Space Explorers is currently flushing out a proposed global asteroid response policy and will formally present it to the United Nations in 2009. The plan favors using a "Gravity Tractor" spacecraft to tug asteroids off a collision course from the planet. For an asteroid the size of Apophis, such a mission would take about 12 days and cost $300 million.
• Scientists say they cannot predict what the effects would be if Apophis collided with the Earth, because the effects depend on the asteroid's makeup and its angle of collision.
• Paul Slovic, president of the risk-analysis firm Decision Research, said the impact could destroy a city or region - far less devastation than that caused by the asteroid that is hypothesized to have led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
• Quote: "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." - Former astronaut Rusty Schweickart
What you need to know - Alternative ViewStatements and opinions by Mike Adams• Even though society works to protect itself against natural disasters on Earth, such as earthquakes, we neglect to consider the potentially catastrophic effects of dangers from space.
• NASA is not adequately monitoring the situation, and there is no global effort to collaborate on a response to this threat. Sooner or later, there will be an incident. It is wise to protect the Earth in advance of such threats by monitoring potential threats.
Bottom line• The Association of Space Explorers wants the United Nations to adopt a policy for deflecting asteroids that may collide with the planet.
###
Related Articles
• NASA draws up plans to land astronaut on doomsday asteroid
• One therapeutic dose of radiation causes 30 percent spongy bone loss in mice (press release)
 |
Additional Resources:
astronauts
near-Earth asteroids
United Nations
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
Email this article to a friend
Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/021681.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|