The findings would then go to NASA, which would wait another 24 hours before going public. The new interim procedures are not an attempt to hide anything but to make sure the information is accurate, said scientist Donald Yeomans of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, whose calculations helped dispel the fear asteroid 1997XF11 was headed straight for Earth. Some scientists question the new push from NASA, saying quick action from astronomers is needed to determine an asteroid's danger. The first reports estimated it would pass within 30,000 miles of the Earth's center and could possibly collide. That distance was later recalculated at safe distances of 600,000 miles.
Some astronomers say releasing their discoveries quickly and openly is critical.
When a new asteroid or comet is discovered, scientists need as many sightings as possible in order to precisely plot its orbit and gauge how close it may pass to Earth. In many cases, an asteroid gets lost in the star field before its orbit is calculated. Usually, new observations are immediately reported to the Minor Planet Center, where it is posted on a Web site. In June, the National Research Council plans to convene astronomers and experts in risk assessment and hazard management meeting to consider how best to release news of potential disaster. Two months after a false alarm about a possible killer asteroid screamed into the headlines, scientists on Wednesday urged NASA and other astronomers to rethink how they give such news to the public.