EXPERT REACTION: Global defence plan triggered as asteroid has small chance of hitting Earth in 2032
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A 100 metre-wide asteroid spotted in December has now triggered global planetary defence procedures after telescope observations revealed it has a chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. The asteroid currently only has a 1.3% chance of hitting our pale blue dot, but the small potential has led to a 'just in case' plan. Below, Australian researchers respond to the announcement.
Organisation/s: Australian Science Media Centre
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Expert Reaction
These comments have been collated by the Science Media Centre to provide a variety of expert perspectives on this issue. Feel free to use these quotes in your stories. Views expressed are the personal opinions of the experts named. They do not represent the views of the SMC or any other organisation unless specifically stated.
Dr Padric McGee is from the School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences at The University of Adelaide