Spaceguard as we all know, and as I have written of recently is a highly logical and somewhat a Nobel pursuit, as it truly does seek to literally save the world. If we sit ideally by and do nothing or waist time as our governments do presently, our fate is clear, and our death warrants have been issued.

Regardless, of what we say or attempt to do from this point on, governments of the world have already set into their own agendas, and it has nothing to do with Spaceguard.

What is the problem, why are we not recruiting more fledgling scientist, and why are our governments ignoring us ? In part, How much of the world is truly aware of Asteroids and their threat to the Earth ? How many ordinary people really are aware of these rocks hovering above us.

Out side of the movies, not many, and the subject is given only a fleeting thought after viewing the recent movies, but in the minds of the people, its just a movie, and it can never happen here. Now most of us, know the reality of the fragility of life in this world, but the public which we seek to enlighten is oblivious to this reality.

To address the first question on recruiting; to be blunt, science is boring and scary to most students, and if a science class is taken, it is usually the least of three evils, and an elective course.

In the class room, science is also presented rather boringly, lectures are long and dry, and the in-structor offers no passion in his/her presentation. Thus, any hope of recruiting new fledglings into our exclusive little clubs is hard to achieve.

In Graduate school, for those of us who do brave the waters, we quickly learn just how tedious and boring science can be, as we dredge through some-one else's research, and watch as the work we did is acknowledged by the scientist we are assist-ing, and not us. But this is the way it has worked for years.

If we hope to add to our ranks, we have to ignite our students, and show them just how much fun science can be. I can remember when I was in grade school; It took one look through a cheaply made little 60mm Telescope to ignite my soul, and start a life long quest in science. My Nephew Zach , now 12 was on fire at age 7, and soon debating Einstein at my level with me. But prodigies such as Zach are a rarity.

The entire problem is simply a matter of education. Spaceguard and Recruiting the next generation into science. If eigther is to succeed , we need to properly educate not only the students in our charge, but the general public as well, and not to mention our governmental officials.

As if we continue down the same road and fight as we have been presenting it, then we'll most likely get where were at right now, not very far.

Spaceguard is a learning experience, as prior to this moment in history, we have never been capable of sending a machine to an Asteroid, nor have we been capable of trying to deflect or destroy such an object.

Can we do it, yes, no, maybe ? We wont know till we try.

It always looks good in the movies, but we reside in reality. At this very moment the NASA Probe DS-1 is on its approach to Asteroid 433 Eros. It will provide us with invaluable data concerning this particular asteroids makeup and composition.

The NEAR mission is one of several that NASA has planned over the next few years. This data will also provide us with information which Planetary Defense Scientist need as well, which is the second part of Spaceguard needs.

It is programs such as this which can spark the imagination and fuel the fires within one's soul, which can last a lifetime. It all starts with awareness.

This is what I try to do within the classes which I teach, bring to life the reality of the challenges in science, the quests for the Holy Grails of science, and to open up minds to the possibilities.

The Text Book may provide a variable guide, but it hardly shows any of the passion which the Author may have felt, instead, most teachers present the student with a page by page re-reading of the Text, in short boring the hell out of the student.

I try to provide to my students an up to date, in the present account of the feelings emanating within the scientific community. Just one of the perks of utilizing the Internet.

The end result is that the students become more involved, as when they are informed, they get involved in discussion as well as the debate itself. Most find that this approach is highly effective, and it shows in the students grades.

Carl Sagan is one of the Great Minds of the 20th Century, but some of his lectures were down right boring, and had a tendency to put one to sleep.

But in the end, he inspired a great number of people with his passion for exploration. This is what is needed to catch the eyes and minds of the next generation.

Just as in the Spaceguard issue, if we continue to do very little, our hopes of achieving its goals, and insuring our survivability are very little. to make things work for Spaceguard and to recruit the next generation into science, we need to present them in a more attractive light.

Thus Spaceguard and Educational Programs are of paramount importance, as the educational side is an asset, which is often ignored. There will always remain some form of competition between the scientist and the politician, as the scientist knows how a program should be run, and the Politician has no idea.

Politicians also do not understand that odds such as a 1 in 2000 chance of being hit in the next 50 years by an Asteroid, in astronomical terms may mean a Bulls Eye in his Back Yard.

In conclusion, do we need the Spaceguard Program ? Yes ! Do we need to attract more students into our realm ? Yes ! Now here is the Challenge, and the results are up to each of us, So what do we do?

Remember, that what we do today, will have an effect on the future generations, and it is that generation of our Children we seek to insure, that the world they inherit will be better than the one we inherited.

Dr. David James Johnson

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