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Asteroid Impact Mapping System

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Two decades ago, when The Planetary Society first began supporting the investigation of near-Earth objects -- those vast swarms of asteroids and comets silently orbiting around our Sun -- we were pioneers in what much of the space community considered a "scientific backwater."

Not any more. Today, investigation of NEOs is recognized as urgent by virtually the entire scientific community. Yet -- despite that -- research lags, and there is still no concrete plan in place for humanity's response if we discover an asteroid headed our way.

The Planetary Society is helping plan an effective response to asteroid threats via our support of the B612 Foundation -- a recently created organization exclusively dedicated to this important work.

The specific B612 project that we're hoping to support is aimed at filling part of the gap by creating a system of computerized "automated" maps that will visually depict the specific narrow corridor across the face of the planet within which any given asteroid would strike.

The Asteroid Impact Mapping System


A Message From Apollo Astronaut Rusty Schweickart
"We need to fund and encourage more observers, better tracking and more physical measurements of asteroids. And whenever a potentially deadly asteroid is found, accurate and understandable information about the threat must be sent to leaders, the media, and the public.

That's the goal of our Asteroid Impact Mapping System ...an effort that could be made possible with your help."
- Rusty Schweickart
Apollo Astronaut and
Founder, B612 Foundation
The Asteroid Impact Mapping System is a way of making the threats "real". Since, the corridors typically cross national boundaries, this system will also vividly show how this is a truly global danger requiring international coordination.

When completed, B612 will have created an Asteroid Impact Mapping System to more quickly and accurately tell the public -- and government leaders -- about threats posed by newly found asteroids. This information will then be made widely available...in part, via our website as well as B612's.

The B612 Foundation


The B612 Foundation* is a recently created organization of professionals, primarily scientists and other technical people, who are involved in and concerned about the current lack of action to protect the Earth from the impact of near Earth asteroids (NEAs).

The B612 Foundation's primary purpose is to develop an effective response by humanity to any "killer asteroid," that is, any large asteroid on a collision course with Earth.

While the probability of a highly destructive impact in the immediate future is slight, the consequence of such an occurrence is extreme, and mitigation efforts should begin now. The Asteroid Impact Mapping System is the first step toward gaining worldwide awareness of this threat.

* B612 is the asteroid home of the Little Prince in Antoine de Saint-Exupery's child's story The Little Prince.



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