Scientists at war over asteroid

SCIENTISTS were locked in conflict last night over whether a giant asteroid will collide with Earth, precipitating the end of life as we know it.

Astronomers at NASA criticised the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for publishing doom-laden findings without checking with their research first. NASA has rubbished the IAU's report that asteroid XF11could collide with earth, and claimed that the chances of a direct hit are zero.

NASA's research was carried out just 24 hours after astronomers at the IAU calculated that the asteroid could approach within 26,000 miles of earth's surface, and might get much closer. The IAU estimated that there was a 1,000-1 chance that the asteroid could hit earth, triggering earthquakes and producing a nuclear winter effect that would blot out the sun and lead to the extinction of up to 90 per cent of all species.

The new theory has received the approval of scientists at the American Astronomical Society (AAS). An AAS astronomer said that the original work by the IAU was based on very limited data and that NASA's calculations were likely to be closer.

Giant asteroid will miss us

WE ARE not all going to die when an asteroid a mile wide strikes the planet, the Government assured us last night. The science minister, Mr Battle, said the Government believes it is unlikely that the asteroid XF11 will hit Earth, but added that we will be ready, anyway.

Earlier this month, scientists in the United States said that the asteroid could come within 26,000 miles of Earth. The respected International Astronomical Union (IAU) predicted that, if it did strike Earth, it would happen 26 October, 2028. Scientists gave apocalyptic warnings that if the asteroid did collide with the Earth it would explode with the force of 100,000 Hiroshima nuclear bombs. Although there was only a one in 1,000 chance of an impact, they warned that a collision could not be ruled out.

Since then, experts from NASA said they had located earlier images of the asteroid which had helped them to calculate a more precise orbit. The calculations indicate that XF11will miss the Earth by 600,000 miles.

Asteroid could kill us all, scientists say

A newly discovered mile-wide asteroid may be on collision course with Earth, scientists warned yesterday. The asteroid could hit the planet in 30 years' time, wiping out our civilisation as we know it. The respected International Astronomical Union (IAU) has predicted that if the giant asteroid does strike the planet, the cataclysmic explosion will take place at 6:30pm on Thursday, 26 October, 2028.

The object, known as 1997 XF11, is certain to pass within the distance of the Moon from the Earth, but it may come much closer. Scientists have calculated it could approach within 26,000 miles of the Earth's surface, and that there is a 1,000-1 chance that it will hit the Earth at more than 17,000mph. Scientists will monitor its orbit and may be able to determine next year whether it will strike our planet.

Brian Marsden, of the IAU, who made the calculation, said: "It will come extremely close. The chances of impact are very small, but cannot be dismissed."