It was a Congressionally mandated, ongoing search for potentially threatening asteroids and comets that turned up 2007 WD5 as a target in the first place. Originally identified as a possible risk to Earth, later analysis showed that the asteroid may be on a collision course with Mars. "The odds are it's going to fly right past," Yeomans told Discovery News. In the long run, that may not be good news for Earth, which could find itself in the asteroid's path at some point in the future. Unlike the 1908 event, there would be advance warning of a possible strike, as well as the tools and knowledge to divert the threat, Yeomans said. For now, there is no plan to save Earth, though discussions are under way about how to coordinate a worldwide response and just what actions would be possible. "We have the technology to deflect it, but sending a probe into it, using a gravity tug or sending up a nuclear weapon. The trick is to find it early enough," Yeomans said. "With an object this size, all you need to do is slow it down a bit." Related Links: Irene Klotz's blog: Space Diary |
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