ADVISORY/SwRI Astronomer to Discuss the Threat of Asteroids and Comets Impacting the Earth.

Business Editors; Science & Environment Writers

ADVISORY...for Tuesday (May 8)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

    WHAT:   Presentation: "How Should We Respond to the Threat from
            Asteroids and Comets?"

            The probability of a large asteroid or comet impacting a
            land mass on Earth and creating a global climate disaster
            during the 21st Century is estimated to be only 1 in
            10,000. Even a smaller object hitting the ocean, estimated
            at less than 1 percent probability during this century,
            would cause a tsunami of disastrous magnitude. Despite
            their improbability, the consequences of such impacts
            could far exceed those of natural disasters, or even
            nuclear war.

            Dr. Clark R. Chapman of Southwest Research Institute will
            describe how small-scale astronomical searches for
            near-Earth asteroids are underway, despite the lack of an
            adopted protocol governing how astronomers should report
            an Earth-targeted object or how military or civil defense
            agencies should respond. His discussion will introduce
            this intriguing hazard, compare it with other risks and
            hazards faced by society, and report on recent activities
            that show some dawning awareness on the part of
            astronomers and policy-makers that serious planning is
            needed.

    WHO:    Dr. Clark R. Chapman, Institute Scientist, Southwest
            Research Institute

            A researcher in planetary cratering and in the physical
            properties of the smaller bodies of the solar system,
            Chapman works at the SwRI Space Studies Department in
            Boulder, Colorado. He is considered an international
            expert on asteroids and comets. He has testified before
            Congress about the potential hazards of an asteroid or
            comet impacting the Earth, and assisted in the development
            of the Torino Scale (analogous to the Richter Scale for
            earthquakes) to help identify the likelihood and
            seriousness of potential comet or asteroid impacts.
            Chapman received the Carl Sagan Medal from the American
            Astronomical Society in 1999 in recognition of
            "outstanding scientific communication" to the general
            public. He has written articles, books and columns and
            has given frequent commentaries on television and in the
            popular press.

    WHEN:   10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2001

    WHERE:  Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San
            Antonio.
            See the receptionist in the lobby of the administration
            building (building 160) for admission.


       Chapman will be available for media interviews following
                          the presentation.