Potential Impacts and Responses to Near Earth Objects

Tue. 8:30-10:00 a.m., Interlocken C

More than 6,200 near earth asteroids have been discovered to date and Congress has instructed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to find all near-earth objects (NEOs) larger than 140 meters in diameter. Protocols have been placed before the United Nations to try to coordinate an international response to this low-probability, high-impact event and the National Research Council recently released a report examining options for detecting and countering NEOs. Short-term warnings—hours to weeks—may be more achievable than previously thought. This discussion of NEOs will highlight the problems both unique to this threat and in common with other hazards.

Clark Chapman Clark Chapman, Moderator
Southwest Research Institute

 

Lee ClarkeLee Clarke, Panelist
Rutgers University

 

Leonard DavidLeonard David, Panelist
Secure World Foundation

 

Bill Bottke Bill Bottke, Panelist
Southwest Research Institute

 

 

NHC