Asteroids
Asteroids
Task Force on Potentially Hazardous Near Earth Objects
In January 2000 the UK Minister for Science announced the creation of a Task Force on Potentially Hazardous Near Earth Objects (NEOs-asteroids and comets whose orbits bring them close to the earth). He invited the task force to recommend how the UK could best contribute to international efforts to determine and mitigate the risk of collisions with NEOs. This Web site offers the final report of the task force, including 14 recommendations. The task force notes that the risk due to objects whose orbits are known can be projected with temporal and spatial accuracy, whereas the risk due to uncharted objects can only be computed using statistical averages and thus cannot include predictions of time or place of occurrence. Consequently, a principal focus of the recommendations is the establishment of facilities (i.e. telescopes) and programs to identify and chart the orbits of NEOs. They also address the British role in a greater international effort, the assessment of risks, and measures to mitigate future impacts. In addition, the report provides a comprehensive review of current knowledge about this hazard.
