Canadian Space Agency to map asteroid that could destroy earth

The Canadian Space Agency has provided NASA with a laser mapping system that will scan an asteroid that could potentially hit the Earth in about 200 years.

"This is the first time that Canada is participating in a mission to bring a sample from an asteroid," saidStephaneDesjardins, a spokesman for the project.

"It's probably the biggest threat to earth," according toDesjardins,adding ithas only a one in 3,000 chanceof actually making contact.

The asteroid, dubbedBennu,is also interesting to scientists because it's a remnant from the early days of the solar system.

It has been in orbit since itsformation and has yet to collide with another object.

This pristine state makesBennulike a timecapsule from the early days of the solar system.

Some scientists believe asteroids likeBennuseeded the earth with the biological material that created life.

The mapping system will arrive at theasteroid on a NASA spacecraft.

It will scan theasteroid's surface tohelp NASA decide where to take a sample. Arobotic arm will removethe sample and acapsule will shoot itback to earth.

"It's a key instrument to the mission," saidDesjardins.

Forparticipatingin the mission, Canada will get four per cent of the sample brought back to earth.

The mission expects to bring back a total of 60 grams of samples fromBennu.