Well, I really don't think "3 days warning" is really enough time, to round up Bruce Willis and the gang, to go take Asteroid target-practice ... do you?
Newfound asteroid 2013 RZ53 to whizz between Earth and Moon this week
by Scott Sutherland, Geekquinox, ca.news.yahoo.com – 09/15/2013
Discovered just two days ago, a small asteroid will be whizzing past the Earth on Wednesday night, coming within two-thirds of the distance to the Moon.
[...]
What's particularly remarkable about the discovery of 2013 RZ53 is its small size. Astronomers (both professional and amateur) have discovered a lot of asteroids so far, but the smaller an asteroid is, the harder it is to spot. Sometimes, we see asteroids this small only after they've passed us by. The fact that they saw this one over five days before it swings so close to us shows just how dedicated these survey astronomers are and just how skilled they're getting at spotting the asteroids.
One Question: With something as "security threatening" as THIS,
why are we relying on "amateurs"?
Meteorite Hits Russia! [HD] Feb 15th 2013
link to video
Despite what clueless things that aspiring GOP hopefuls, may have to say about funding Science, and "something called 'volcano monitoring'" -- it would seem that helping the amateur Astronomers, HELP US from going extinct (before Global Warming gets us) should rate a little higher on the priorities list.
It only takes ONE killer asteroid with our name on it, to make this kind "early warning system" well worth the investment. What are we waiting for?
Because it won't be super-heroes riding to the rescue -- but rather some geeky Scientists, with their tricks of lasers and rockets, AND the appropriate funding to divert the space rocks.
BUT first we've got to discover these Earth-crossing objects, with far, far MORE than just 5 days lead time. Hollywood is good, but they're NOT that good!
Russian Asteroid MASSIVE CRATER - MUST SEE 2-15-2013
link to video
RT News coverage:
Meteorite crash in Russia 2-15-2013
Who needs Science, anyways? All it takes is one. That no one notices. In Time.