WORKING GROUP: NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS

Abstract

Following its meeting in May, 2010, the IAU Executive Committee requested that a Working Group on NEOs within Div. III be re-activated and carry out the following activities: a) investigate and formulate requirements for an international ground- and/or space-based NEO survey, to detect, track and characterize (optical/IR, radar) 90% of all NEOs with D >40 m and to establish as such a permanent International NEO Early Warning System; to submit to the President, Vice-President and OC of Division III by March 31, 2011, a progress report and by March 31, 2012, a final report on this matter, to be forwarded to the President and General Secretary of the IAU;b) assemble a SOC in order to write and submit to the IAU Assistant General Secretary before December 1, 2010, a proposal for a GA IAU Symposium or a GA Special Session, to be held during the IAU XXVIII General Assembly, August 20-31, 2012 in Beijing, on theoretical and observational aspects of NEO research in general, and on requirements and other aspects of a permanent International NEO Early Warning System in particular;c) prepare and submit to the IAU General Secretary by January 31, 2012, a Resolution for consideration by the IAU XXVIII General Assembly in Beijing, August 2012, asking for international action and support to establish an International NEO Early Warning System; such a Resolution, if accepted by the IAU XXVIII General Assembly, to be addressed to the IAU National Members, to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS), and to the International Council for Science (ICSU).