India, April 18 -- Asteroids are unpredictable and can cause massive damage if they collide with Earth. NASA is taking this threat seriously and is working to mitigate - and even deflect - asteroids that may pose a danger. This effort is highlighted in NASA's new documentary Planetary Defenders, which focuses on the Planetary Defense Coordination Office. The office is responsible for detecting, tracking, and, if necessary, deflecting asteroids and comets that could come dangerously close to Earth.

The urgency of planetary defense was underscored in 1994 when the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 collided with Jupiter, dramatically demonstrating the potential impact of such objects. In response, Congress tasked NASA with identifying 90% of all near-...