The nation's top scientists are trying to find the best way to detect and defend against giant space rocks that could be headed toward Earth.

The team is looking for killer asteroids, according to a report from the McClatchy newspapers.

Congress asked the National Academy of Sciences to investigate the possibility of a specific asteroid striking the Earth 28 years from now.

The space rock named Apophis measures 1,000 feet and weighs 50 million tons.

It has a one in 44,000 chance of hitting the Earth on Easter Sunday, April 13, 2036.

However, the asteroid's path might change and the U.S. government wants a way to stop it if does head toward Earth.

Some possibilities include using a nuclear bomb or conventional explosives or sending a spacecraft to knock the asteroid off course.

Sources:  CBN News, McClatchy Newspapers

Click the player to watch the CBN News report and Pat Robertson's comments about what the Bible has to say about a predicted asteroid impact.