Europe considers asteroid shield

An asteroid known as 433 Eros is heading Earth's way. Discovered in 1898, it was the first asteroid to be orbited by a probe back in 2000. It's path, astrologists say, has not been this close to Earth since 1975.

And while scientists say the great chunk of space rock poses no risk this time round, its appearance has focused attention on European plans - to the tune of $5 million - to develop an asteroid shield.

Al Jazeera's Tarek Bazley explains.