The article is a much misinterpreted take on what NASA was talking
about.  Forget piddly environmental global warming.  The sun itself is
heating up and enlarging steadily.   Although it will remain on the main
sequence for about another 5 billion years, the earth will only be
habitible for about another billion -- maybe less before the oceans
evaporate away.  These guys were talking about placing a 160 Km asteroid
or comet in solar orbit at 1 A.U., leading the earth-moon system.  This
would gradually shift the earth and moon outward with respect to the
sun.  About once every 6000 years the asteroid would have to be swung
around Jupiter to replenish its energy in order to continue the
process.  This procedure would make the earth habitible for perhaps an
extra 4 billion years for whatever species it may harbor at the time.  I
see nothing wrong with long-range planning even if we aren't going to be
here to benefit.

Jim

Jinx wrote:

> Looks like I took me pills just in time
>
> http://www.observer.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,504486,00.html

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