Long-range consequences of interplanetary collisions
Abstract
As Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 races toward its mid-July collision with the planet Jupiter, considerable public attention is focused on catastrophic impacts with the Earth -- in the past and in the future. In recent years calls have been made to develop technologies that could deflect any asteroid or comet on a collision course. Careful consideration must be given to the nature and time scale of the risk and to the cost-effectiveness and possible problems in the suggested solutions. Risk assessment, threat removal, and resources misuse are examined. The greatest concern is to have a poorly informed public -- exerting pressure for means to mitigate even non-existent threats. The only foreseeable solution is a combination of accurate orbit estimation, realistic threat assessment, and effective public education.
- Publication:
-
Issues in Science and Technology
- Pub Date:
- 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994IST....10...67S
- Keywords:
-
- Asteroids;
- Collisions;
- Comets;
- Earth (Planet);
- Risk;
- Threat Evaluation;
- Education;
- Hazards;
- Human Behavior;
- Long Term Effects;
- Orbit Calculation;
- Panic;
- Predictions;
- Astronomy