2006-09-10 05:37:57 · 15 answers · asked by john doe 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Moot point. You would likely hear about it on the internet first. In the US, at least, the government doesn't originate or control astronomical information.
2006-09-10 06:50:06 · answer #1 · answered by injanier 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kind of a moot question because it isn't likely the 'government' would get the news any sooner than you and I.
Your Q does make one wonder what would happen if it (government) DID get the word first..
First, there would have to be a caucus to set-up a fact-finding committee, then a 'closed-door' confidential meeting between members of that committee, a resolution, a vote, then a press conference to announce that NASA has everything ';under control' but that that information was 'off-the-record' and on 'deep background'.
By that time - none of it would have made any difference anyway...even though The National Inquirer would have already had a (rare) 'extra' on the news stands tieing the whole maryanne to 'terrorists' and denials would be coming out of The White House,hourly.
(Gosh! That was fun.)
2006-09-10 06:10:09 · answer #2 · answered by Beejee 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I think so. They'd want to give all the religious people out there a chance to repent for their sins and pray for salvation before the asteroid hit. They'd also want everybody into bomb shelters just before the strike in the attempt to save human civilization. Remember, if they're doomed too, it's no longer a matter of money or power.
2006-09-10 05:41:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
That's a great question. Honestly, I don't think the government would say anything until some other self employed astronomer ran to the media and spilled the beans... then they'd be forced to acknowledge it.
2006-09-10 06:08:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. But government types would start to mysteriously disappear, into deep caverns underground - or where ever they think is safest.
Where would I want to be?
In an airplane - on the OTHER side of the world - circling high overhead to avoid the incoming tsunamis.
2006-09-10 05:46:48 · answer #5 · answered by Techguy2396 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends. If, like in the movie Deep Impact, they had a way to save some of us then they would tell us. Also if there was nothing they could do they wouldn't tell us far in advance to save people from panicing. If they found out within hours of impact, we probably wouldn't find out!
2006-09-10 06:00:03 · answer #6 · answered by Krissy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Can you imagine the mass panic that would grip the planet? It would be absolute chaos! The planets infrastructure would come to a complete stop.
2006-09-10 05:46:28 · answer #7 · answered by Canadian Ken 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the news would get around anyway, so the govt would be on the air telling everyone not to panic.
2006-09-10 05:54:11 · answer #8 · answered by yahoohoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes but it would blame it on Islamic terrorists and use it as an argument to invade Iran or something. You know the nutiness that goes on in Washington.
2006-09-10 06:44:14 · answer #9 · answered by zamir 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are enough astronomers in enough different countries who would have the information that it couldn't be kept from the public.
2006-09-10 05:52:44 · answer #10 · answered by rt11guru 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋