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Torino Scale - Part 3 of 3

A. Color: pale, light green - Events having no likely consequences:

0 - The likelihood of a collision is zero, or well below the chance that
a random object of the same size will strike the Earth within the next
few decades. This designation also applies to any small object that, in
the event of a collision, is unlikely to reach the Earth's surface
intact.

B. Color: green - Events meriting careful monitoring:

1 - The chance of collision is extremely unlikely, about the same as a
random object of the same size striking the Earth within the next few
decades.

C. Color: ocher - Events meriting concern:

2 - A somewhat close, but not unusual encounter. Collision is very
unlikely.

3 - A close encounter, with 1 % or greater chance of a collision capable
of causing localized destruction.

4 - A close encounter, with 1 % or greater chance of a collision causing
regional devastation.

D. Color: orange - Threatening events:

5 - A close encounter, with a significant threat of a collision capable
of causing regional devastation.

6 - A close encounter, with a significant threat of a collision capable
of causing a global catastrophe.

7 - A close encounter, with an extremely significant threat of a
collision capable of causing a global catastrophe.

E. Color: brown - Certain collisions:

8 - A collision capable of causing localized destruction. Such events
occur somewhere on Earth between once per 50 years and once per 1000
years.

9 - A collision capable of causing regional devastation. Such events
occur between once per 1000 years and once per 100, 000 years.

10 - A collision capable of causing a global climatic catastrophe. Such
events occur once per 100,000 yeras, or less often.

The Torino scale is based on a logarithmic plot of the probability that
an object passing near Earth will actually collide (horizontal axis) and
the kinetic energy that would be released if a hit occurs (vertical
axis).


Best wishes,

Bernd

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