how many people in the world are looking for earth bound asteroids?

Answer 1

Have a look at:

http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/

Nasa in conjunction with several observatories throughout the world are cataloging all NEOs (near-Earth objects) that are greater than 1 km wide. Above this size is considered to be a threat to civilisation as a whole. The exercise is schedule to finish in 2008.

The point is that if they know where they are they can plot their orbits into the next centuries.

Of course, the real problem is that even asteroids 100 metres wide can potentially destroy a city the size of LA, and there these will be many times more numerous than 1 km NEOs.

But bear on mind that, though the movies show the big cities being the recipients of distasters, that is just to make the movie. In reality the Earth is still mostly empty - the oceans form 70% alone. So, the chances of small asteroid hitting a city are pretty small.

But not small enough to ignore.

Answer 2

I hope there are enough to cover all of the sky. It would suck to miss just 1 asteroid and have it wipe out life on Earth.

Answer 3

2 much

Answer 4

seventeen.