why do some people say we can track big asteroids capable of world destruction and others say we?

Question

wouldnt even know it was coming?? Wouldnt we be able to see something so big?

Answer 1

There are 2 issues here. There are large objects which we are aware of and actively track at all times however we rely on a netowork of volunteers across the nation to identify other unknown objects. This current system only allows for a small percentage of the sky to be searched. The other issue is a most of these volunteers are using equipment that would detect close objects. The problem with that is that by the time the object is detected there is virtually no time to prevent or even prepare a plan to deal with the impending catastrophe. We know for a fact the Asteroids and Comets have wiped out virtually all life on the Earth twice before and that there have been many more impacts that if they were to occur in a populated area could result in the instant deaths of millions of people and the slow starvation of millions more.

Answer 2

We have the ability and technology to track objects in space (not constantly but we can calculate their orbits and make sure they're still where they're supposed to be) The problem is we only know where about 80-85 percent of them are. considering that number gives us just under 4500 asteroids that have orbits that cross Earth's path that leaves around 900 unaccounted for. The impact risk from each of the known asteroids is considered to be less than the "Background risk" so we're more likely to get hit by one of the 900 asteroids that we haven't found yet than by one of the ones that we can "track"

Also the programs that find these asteroids run out of funding this year.

Answer 3

They may seem really big but they are tiny compared with the size of the solar system. And when you take into account that the average McDonalds has more employees then there are professionals scientists looking for these large objects it is easier to see how things get missed. Add to that the fact that the biggest threat, comets, are so far away our mapping methods would only really pick up with them within a few months of impact.

Answer 4

Any asteroid big enough to cause world destruction, we could track, but there are not many of those out there, and even fewer could possibly hit the Earth.
BTW, EVERYTHING has a RADAR signature.

Answer 5

No, we wouldn't necessarily see it. If it approached from the direction of the sun, was dark in color, and/or especially if it was composed of material that does not reflect a radar signature. Also, it doesn't have to be very big to cause that kind of damage.

Answer 6

No you know why? because of money. We do not have any funding to watch the skies.

Stupid war.