When Mother Nature strikes, the unthinkable can happen. It’s now obvious that an early-warning system would have saved thousands of lives from the Asian tsunami. Instead, the unprepared region desperately needed help (and got it instantly from millions around the world using the Internet). Online charities do make a difference; its just a pity that far too often preventative causes get sidelined by ever current catastrophe situations. New Orleans is another prime example of postdisaster hindsight saying "if only" we had invested in the levies. Which U.S. citizen wouldn't have donated 15 bucks if he or she knew it could have prevented the Katerina catastrophe?

The Internet offers abundant information on the topic of space and near-Earth objects. Of thousands of websites, not one contradicts the need for further research into asteroids. Justification for private funding becomes more apparent the more one reads.

Please also see the [Associated Scientists] page for more on the astronomers (and their projects) who are beneficiaries of FAIR Society.

If you have any doubts as to the frequency of and scientific data about this phenomenon, have a look at NASA's [asteroid and comet impact hazards]. The numbers are astonishing.

For other selected links of interest related to astronomy and NEOs [more].