IMPACT Workshop on Near Earth Objects
Torino-Italy, 1-4 June 1999

 

 

Statement of the participants at the Torino Meeting "International Monitoring Programs for Asteroid and Comet Threat" (IMPACT). 1-4 June 1999
 
Recognizing:
  • that cosmic impact is a significant low-probability, high-consequence phenomenon that could affect civilization or life on Earth:
  • the existence of considerable world expertise in the subject, and of national centers of excellence in minor body research:
  • the requirement of implementing an effective monitoring system for Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), including their discovery, astrometry, physical characteristics and dynamical behavior;
  • that a start has been made towards establishing an international Spaceguard program;
Recommends that governments should:
  • establish national Spaceguard centres to advise their governments on the assessment of the impact hazard and to act as foci for NEO research:
  • support these centres financially to facilitate international collaboration in the international Spaceguard program.