Is there currently a process implemented to detect civilization-ending asteroids/meteorites?

Question

maybe we don't have the technolog yet? i don't know.

Answer 1

Yes, but the automated detection systems do not reckon with Space Terrorists. My hobby is finding out which asteroids can be most easily diverted into collison with Earth, and the time, direction, and magnitude for the smallest delta-vee that will get the job done.

At present, my simulations can't do much more than hit the planet maybe 80% of the time. I still don't correct for the motion of Earth's mass around the Earth-moon barycenter, for example. But I'm improving my program, and sooner or later I'll be able to peg the asteroid smack on top of those who deserve it.

Answer 2

There are several surveys in progress, such as NEAT and LINEAR, using computer controlled telescopes to look for asteroids. We do have the technology, but the smaller the asteroid, the harder it is to see. We know the orbits of all the asteroids large enough to end civilization, but there are probably many smaller ones that are still big enough to wipe out a city or small state that we haven't found yet. As the surveys continue and our technology gets better, we will identify smaller and smaller ones.

Answer 3

Well, the next large asteroid with a chance of striking Earth (current odds: 1 in 50,000) won't be here until 2036. So, we have 30 years to figure something out.

Anyway, I'd say the odds of a nuclear holocaust or a complete breakdown of the environment are a lot better than 1 in 50,000. In other words, there are more likely scenarios to be worried about.

Answer 4

Sure - Near Earth Asteroid Tracking.

Answer 5

Yes, I read/seen something on Discovery Channel, where they can pretty much detect any large asteroids in deep space. So, we should get plenty of warning, before a ubersized asteroid collides with Earth.

Answer 6

There is a program in place currently to detect near Earth objects (stuff that might hit us) and one has actually been found! The good news is that it isn't supposed to hit us until the year 2880 (whew). The bad news is that comets can come screaming at us from behind the sun and are therefore undetectable until they are within a few weeks of impact.

Answer 7

The asteroids are big enough that we could calculate that are coming Clost several years in advance. The Comet are what worries me. Their orbit is so eccentric that it may be traveling 150,000 mph. That will not give us much time to think about it.

Answer 8

you know what, there are only a handfull of astronomers watching the skies and getting paid for it, the rest are ameture astronomers, wouldnt you like to see nasa make give more funding to have more people watch the skies?! duh! I would say that is the most important thing nasa can do.