The United Nations Will Create an International Asteroid Warning Group to Protect the World from Devastation

Presumably, this will unite all peoples within our nations.
This article is over 11 years old and may contain outdated information

Recommended Videos

It’s good to know that we’re not the only ones who get spooked by giant death-rocks from outer space hurtling towards our home. The United Nations does, too, and that’s why they’re moving forward with plans to create an International Asteroid Warning Group. The network of participating nations would let everyone know when there was an asteroid threat to the Earth and then launch a mission to ram it safely off course.

The Association of Space Explorers recommended that such a group should be formed back in 2008, but the meteor that struck Russia earlier this year may have finally caused the UN to take action. Flying balls of death tend to have that effect on peacekeeping organizations.

Luckily, the Chelyabinsk meteor was relatively small and caused no fatalities, but it was definitely a wake up call, since no one even saw it coming. Add that to the recently discovered, 1,300 foot asteroid that NASA is only 99.998% sure won’t hit the Earth in 2032 (most near-Earth objects 100% definitely won’t hit us), and you can see why someone might think we need to pay a little better attention to space.

Plus, there are, like, a million dangerous asteroids that fly by the Earth. No, really. According to ex-astronaut Ed Lu, “There are about 1 million asteroids large enough to destroy New York City or larger.” Luckily, the United Nations plans to be there to nudge any potential asteroid threat onto a less murdery path.

The formation of International Asteroid Warning Group is still early, so we can only guess that part of their preparations will include assembling a ragtag team for the mission and pulling at least one maverick astronaut out of retirement.

(via The Verge, image via NASA APPEL)

Meanwhile in related links


The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Dan Van Winkle
Dan Van Winkle
Dan Van Winkle (he) is an editor and manager who has been working in digital media since 2013, first at now-defunct Geekosystem (RIP), and then at The Mary Sue starting in 2014, specializing in gaming, science, and technology. Outside of his professional experience, he has been active in video game modding and development as a hobby for many years. He lives in North Carolina with Lisa Brown (his wife) and Liz Lemon (their dog), both of whom are the best, and you will regret challenging him at Smash Bros.