Preventing and correcting spread of misinformation about near-Earth objects, impacts, airbursts, and planetary defense: Case studies

Abstract

The landscape of scientific publishing and communication is changing rapidly with the accelerating growth of open-access outlets that lack rigorous peer review, revenue-driven online media, inadequately trained journalists, social media, online influencers, podcasts, celebrity endorsements of pseudoscience, anti-science political movements, and the emergence of artificial intelligence. Near-Earth objects, impacts, and airbursts—particularly when related to global catastrophes or planetary defense—often attract intense public interest and the kind of media coverage that is prone to the spread of misinformation. The field of planetary defense has profound consequences, so maintaining public trust is essential to its success. Scientists cannot afford to ignore these challenges merely because they fall outside the scope of conventional scientific discourse. This paper classifies several types of misinformation, presents representative case studies in planetary defense and planetary science, and offers practical approaches for mitigation. We consider (1) rapidly evolving news events requiring timely expert response; (2) intermediate-term cases involving inadequately reviewed publications, overpromotion, and uncritical reporting; and (3) long-term, persistent, and self-perpetuating myths that can grow organically and insidiously, even within the scientific community. We also discuss how misinformation can originate and proliferate through inadequate peer review, news releases and press conferences, exploitation of limited scientific literacy, unsubstantiated claims, and amplification of false narratives by artificial intelligence. Finally, we suggest proactive strategies for preventing and correcting misinformation, with particular attention to its implications for planetary defense.