Abstract
A few highlights in the history of Near-Earth Object research are outlined along with early, relevant IAU activities. The development of an IAU policy on this research and its implementation in relation to international organizations like the United Nations is described. Special attention is paid to the rôle of the IAU Minor Planet Center and how the IAU has dealt with related problems. An important issue, often causing controversy, has been the need to communicate findings on asteroidal motions that may lead to impact on the Earth within the next century. An account is given of the IAU’s involvement in this issue with the aid of several examples of noteworthy cases. Finally, recent activities aiming at a multidisciplinary scientific assessment of the impact hazard, involving the International Council for Science, is presented.
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Rickman, H. (2006). IAU Initiatives Relating to the Near-Earth Object Impact Hazard. In: Heck, A. (eds) Organizations and Strategies in Astronomy Volume 6. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 335. Springer, Dordrecht . https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4056-3_17
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4056-3_17
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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