Asteroid Apophis impact chance enough to worry UN
The UN will meet in February to tackle the threat of asteroids colliding with Earth, with the next major threatening event could occur in less than 20 years.
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 The Asteroid Apophis will hit Earth and we're all going to die. Fact.
December 3, 2008 4:49 PM
Asteroid Apophis impact
The international community must work together to tackle the threat of asteroids colliding with Earth, a leading UN scientist says.
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 say the next major threatening event could occur in less than 20 years. Asteroid Apophis is due to pass close to the Earth and analyses suggest a one in 45,000 chance of a collision.
An impact by Apophis would generate the equivalent of a 500 megatonne blast, at least 100 times more powerful than the Siberian event.
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