Newswise — Secure World Foundation (SWF) has released a new fact sheet: Protecting Earth from Near Earth Objects.
Since the discovery of the Chicxulub crater and its likely association with a mass extinction event -- some 65million years ago -- scientists have uncovered increasing evidence that celestial objects have a history of impacting the Earth and affecting its inhabitants.
Over the past decade a growing amount of research has begun to identify the types of objects that pose threats to Earth and potential mitigation strategies.
As a free service, SWF calls your attention to this new fact sheet that details:
* What are NEOs?* Dealing with the threat* Policy and legal issues
The fact sheet also includes footnotes for additional research and is available at:
http://www.secureworldfoundation.org/siteadmin/images/files/file_344.pdf
International policy challenges
SWF provides fact sheets covering issues related to space governance. These fact sheets are both technical in nature as well as policy-related, said Phil Smith, SWF Communications Director.
As detailed in the new SWF fact sheet, a particular type of NEO called a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) is the object of particular focus when it comes to a possible impact with the Earth.
"We have produced two fact sheets designed to help people understand what NEOs are, how they are categorized, and also highlight the international policy challenges associated with detecting, tracking and ultimately deflecting a hazardous-to-Earth NEO," said Smith.
About Secure World Foundation
Secure World Foundation welcomes any suggestions for fact sheets from decision-makers, industry leaders and the public.
SWF fact sheets are tools that help the Foundation inform interested parties, a capability that complements our two other objectives: Advocacy and facilitating discussion.
Secure World Foundation is headquartered in Superior, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Vienna, Austria.
The Secure World Foundation is a fully-funded, private operating foundation dedicated to the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.
The Foundation engages with academics, policy makers, scientists and advocates in the space and international affairs communities to support steps that help achieve the secure, sustainable and peaceful uses of outer space with efficient and effective global systems of governance.
For additional information on the NEO Fact Sheet and other SWF issues, contact:
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