Newswise — A hefty asteroid will zoom by Earth today, a chunk of rock that also serves as a wake-up call.
While classified as a potentially hazardous object, asteroid 2005 YU55 poses no threat of an Earth collision – for at least the next 100 years.
Still, this close flyby of Earth is a reminder that our planet is just a sitting duck in a cosmic shooting gallery.
Experts at Secure World Foundation are available to discuss this event and the future of maintaining a vigilant eye on Near Earth Objects (NEOs), as well as establishing a Planetary Defense strategy.
The consequences stemming from a NEO plowing into the Earth depends on its size and trajectory. Damage could range from destruction of an area the size of a city, to creation of tsunamis, to far greater after-effects.
Planetary defense strategy
“The making of a Planetary Defense strategy is one that includes finding these potentially hazardous objects, predicting their future locations, and providing warning about future impacts with the Earth,” said Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation.
Williamson said a Planetary Defense strategy also includes missions to deflect impacting asteroids by changing their orbit, as well as disaster preparedness management and, in the event of a NEO strike, shaping a mitigation and recovery plan to counteract consequences.
For the last several years, the Foundation has partnered with the Association of Space Explorers and other organizations to assist the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to develop an appropriate international agreement for responding to the NEO threat.
Experts available
Secure World Foundation experts are available to comment on the November 8 close flyby of Earth by asteroid 2005 YU55:
Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive DirectorSecure World FoundationCell Phone: 1-303-501-0430 Email: [email protected]
Dr. Michael SimpsonSenior Program OfficerSecure World FoundationPhone: 1-303-554-1560 European mobile phone: +33 6 73 32 30 99Email: [email protected]
Brian WeedenTechnical AdvisorSecure World FoundationPhone: 1-202-683-8534Email: [email protected]
About Secure World Foundation
Secure World Foundation (SWF) is a private operating foundation dedicated to the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.
SWF engages with academics, policy makers, scientists and advocates in the space and international affairs communities to support steps that strengthen global space sustainability. It promotes the development of cooperative and effective use of space for the protection of Earth’s environment and human security.
The Foundation acts as a research body, convener and facilitator to advocate for promoting key space security and other space related topics and to examine their influence on governance and international development.
Secure World Foundation is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Brussels, Belgium.
For access to the SWF website, please go to:
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