A leading UN scientist says the international community must work together to tackle the threat of asteroids colliding with the Earth. Professor Richard Crowther's comments come as a group of space experts called for a co-ordinated science-led response to the asteroid threat. The Association of Space Explorers (ASE) says missions to intercept asteroids will need global approval. The UN will meet in February to discuss the issue. In the ASE report, the group of scientists and former astronauts point to the historical record to highlight the dangers of asteroids; an impact 65 million years ago may have wiped out the dinosaurs, and the Tunguska impact in 1908 produced a 2000 sq km fire in Siberia, big enough to engulf a city the size of New York.
A leading UN scientist says the international community must work together to tackle the threat of asteroids colliding with the Earth.
Professor Richard Crowther's comments come as a group of space experts called for a co-ordinated science-led response to the asteroid threat.
The Association of Space Explorers (ASE) says missions to intercept asteroids will need global approval.
The UN will meet in February to discuss the issue.
In the ASE report, the group of scientists and former astronauts point to the historical record to highlight the dangers of asteroids; an impact 65 million years ago may have wiped out the dinosaurs, and the Tunguska impact in 1908 produced a 2000 sq km fire in Siberia, big enough to engulf a city the size of New York.
