Asteroid Could Be On Collision Course With Earth

A former Apollo astronaut who specializes in monitoring potentially hazardous space rocks says that a massive asteroid that may be on a collision course with Earth should be studied in more detail.

Asteroid 2011 AG5 has been the object of attention because scientists say it may swing close to Earth in the year 2040.

In this most recent communiqué, Astronaut Russell Schweickart questioned a view that a Deep Impact-like intercept of asteroid 2011 AG5 could be staged in enough time to derail a space rock from hitting Earth.

"We all realize it is highly likely that AG5 is not headed for an impact. But we must also hedge against the possibility that this will not be the case by being prepared to act, and not find ourselves awkwardly beyond the point where deflection remains an option," Schweickart concluded in his open letter to the NASA chief.

In response to the letter, Schweickart said that a NASA-organized teleconference was held involving himself, as well as John Grunsfeld, NASA's Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, Jim Green, Director of Planetary Science, and Lindley Johnson, NEO Observations Program Executive.

"It was a very constructive discussion and as a result we will be getting together in the next few weeks to discuss the various issues and options which would apply to a variety of future scenarios regarding 2011 AG5," Schweickart said. "I’m looking forward to these substantive discussions and I commend John Grunsfeld and NASA for this positive response."

(From Space.com)