What are the chances of Earth being destroyed by an asteroid? Higher than those of being engulfed by an exploding sun. In its April edition, science and odd facts magazine Focus examined the chances of Earth's destruction by various catastrophes.
With the year 2000 fast approaching, some Christian cults are predicting the end of the world, with some of the more violent ones seeming ready to help it on its way. Others are worried the Y2K computer bug will result in nuclear war, whether intentionally or due to faulty missile command computers.
Apart from these pessimists, others have examined likely causes of the end of the world.
The most popular, if that's the right word to use, was destruction of the world due to nuclear war, with British betting firm William Hill putting the odds at 1,000 to one.
Asteroid impact came in second, with Hill giving odds of 50,000 to one. On October 26, 2028, asteroid 1997 XF11 will pass within 960,000 kilometres of Earth, which is close in astronomical terms. Earlier, hopefully incorrect, calculations had warned it would actually hit Earth.
Other threats to Earth are new diseases wiping out human life (250,000 to one), environmental destruction of the planet (one million to one) and global warming (five million to one). Earth being destroyed by an exploding sun was put at a remote 10 million to one.