NASA estimates that before entering the Earth's atmosphere above Russia, the asteroid measured 17 meters (56 feet) in diameter and weighed 10 tons.
When gods get together they tell the story of one particular planet whose inhabitants watched, with mild interest, huge continent-wrecking slabs of ice slap into another world which was, in astronomical terms, right next door – and then did nothing about it because that sort of thing only happens in Outer Space. An intelligent species would at least have found someone to complain to. Anyway, no one seriously believes in that story, because a race quite that stupid would never even have discovered slood.*
* Much easier to discover than fire, and only slightly harder to discover than water.
More socialist fantasies. Any detection system will be payed for by the sucker of the world: the US taxpayer.
There are several alternative methods that given sufficient warning time could be employed to deflect or otherwise mitigate a body. Yes, very mass dependent.
More socialist fantasies. Any detection system will be payed for by the sucker of the world: the US taxpayer.
Who's to say NASA or some other agency didn't track. If they have classified equipment that tracked it, do you think they would divulge it?
Sirchick you may very well have expertise in astronomy / astrophysics that I do not, but I can say from having worked in the defense industry that government technology is typically about 20 years ahead of civilian technology. If they could track with advanced technology, they would not obviously mention it.
Seems stupid might as well not bother tracking it if you track then then tell no one about an incoming hit.
Seems stupid might as well not bother tracking it if you track then then tell no one about an incoming hit.
One capability at a time. Currently we'tre developing the ability to detect/track (that ability hasn't been around for too long). THEN, when we know what types of problems are out there, we start devising schemes to shield ourselves from potential hazards.
Currently we're just in the interim stage of being able to see but not being able to do something about it (which is the nastiest place to be, but one you must pas through in any case)
There is little that could be done with such knowledge anyway. The only real solution is tempering all window glass.
Yelmurc
Feb 18, 2013