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If an asteroid threat emerged, Earth would need to be ready. Scientists are continually working to give the planet the best range of defensive strategies. : Michael Joiner, 360 info CC BY 4.0

Backgrounder: 564 words
With NASA announcing an asteroid is on a possible collision course with Earth 23 years from now, 360info looks at the planet’s early warning systems.
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Deflecting asteroids

How to stop space rocks hitting Earth

With NASA announcing an asteroid is on a possible collision course with Earth 23 years from now, 360info looks at the planet’s early warning systems.

Science
Asteroids Deluxe was released in 1981. Its vector graphics were tinted blue, the asteroids spun, and new ‘killer satellites’ aimed for the player’s spaceship, breaking into smaller satellites when fired upon. : Steven A. Miller, Flickr CC BY 2.0

It was a few white lines on a black screen, but Asteroids became Atari’s most popular arcade game.

Deflecting asteroids

As arcade games died out, Asteroids lived on

It was a few white lines on a black screen, but Asteroids became Atari’s most popular arcade game.

Science
This unexpected meteor hammered home to the UN that the world needed an asteroid alert system. : M. Ahmetvaleev (NASA) CC0

Spurred by a near miss, the world built an alert system to detect asteroids heading for Earth. But it’s not clear who would decide what to do next.

Deflecting asteroids

How an asteroid near-miss shocked the UN

Spurred by a near miss, the world built an alert system to detect asteroids heading for Earth. But it’s not clear who would decide what to do next.

Science
Asteroid impacts are unique disaster scenarios because they can be prevented altogether if we have enough warning. : NASA/Goddard/Debbie Mccallum, Flickr CC BY 2.0

If an asteroid threat emerged, Earth would need to be ready. Scientists are continually working to give the planet the best range of defensive strategies.

Deflecting asteroids

Always look up: Earth’s top 7 asteroid defences

Science
This telescope monitors for near-Earth objects from Arizona. : Daniel Oberhaus CC 4.0

It’s unlikely to happen, but if a large space object ever hit Earth, the outcome would be calamitous. Humanity needs to start preparing now.

Deflecting asteroids

Real heroes plan ahead: collaboration to protect Earth

Science
Amateur astronomers using good-quality off the shelf equipment contribute to our tracking of near-Earth objects : Unistellar All rights reserved

Even with millions in funding and super high-tech equipment, the world’s space agencies need a helping hand from people at home.

Deflecting asteroids

The amateur asteroid hunters giving NASA a run for its money

Science