◎陳成良
Scientists are trying to find a way to protect Earth from the giant rocks which travel around the Milky Way.
科學家正試圖找出一個保護地球免於銀河系巨石撞擊的方法。
Run out of Berlin with funds from the EU, the NEOShield project, which will look for a way to protect earth from the space rocks, is expected to take three years to complete.
歐盟資助的「近地軌道防衛盾」（NEOShield）計畫從柏林起步，預計歷時3年完成，目標是找出一種能保護地球免遭太空巨石撞擊的方法。
Some of the ideas being tossed around at the moment include repelling asteroids with projectiles or explosives or using gravity to change its course.
當前被提出來的一些構想，包括利用拋射體或爆裂物來擊退小行星，或利用重力作用改變其路徑。
The project though is a little late as a chunk of rock 400 times the City of London is set to hurtle closer than a rock of its size has in a very long time.
然而，該計畫來得有點晚，因為一顆相當於400個倫敦市的巨石正向地球逼近，而且是很長時間以來，這麼大的巨石和地球最近距離的接觸。
Despite its massive size, the cosmic rock shouldn’t be too cause too much of a threat as it is on a circular path far outside the moon’s orbit.
儘管體積很大，但這顆太空巨石應不會對地球構成太大威脅，因為該巨石沿著月球軌道之外、遠處的一個圓形軌道運行。
Nevertheless, with NASA estimating that there are almost one thousand asteroids over one kilometer in length and 19,500 over 100-meters, scientists at the Institute of Planetary Research are trying to find a way to protect Earth.
然而， 美國航太總署（NASA）估計，現在約有近1000顆長度超過1公里的小行星和1萬9500顆長度超過100公尺的小行星，因此（德國）行星研究所的科學家們正努力探尋保護地球的方法。
新聞辭典
NEO：為「near earth orbit」縮寫，近地軌道，指離地球較近或離地面高度較低的環繞地球運行軌道。
projectile：名詞，拋射體；發射體；自動推進武器（如火箭、魚雷、飛彈等）。用法如：a projectile force（一支推進部隊）。
hurtle：動詞，猛衝、飛馳。He hurtled past the checkpoint.（他飛也似地繞過了檢查哨。）
本文引用至http://iservice.libertytimes.com.tw/Service/english/english.php?engno=568807&day=2012-03-17
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