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NPR's Richard Harris reports that an Italian researcher has calculated that a huge asteroid could, theoretically, be knocked off its orbit and eventually collide with Earth. But, according to a paper being published in the journal Nature, the asteroid, called Eros, would not hit for at least 100,000, and there's only a 50-50 chance it would hit Earth in the next 100 million years.

Our series continues ... Today, we hear from Peter Brimelow, author of Alien Nation who believes the English Only movement is imperative. Brimelow argues that bilingualism gives the power to a minority rather than to the majority. On the other side we hear from Sandford Ungar author of Fresh Blood: The New Amercian Immigrants who says English Only is a ridiculous movement because there is no reason to fear that English will not remain the preeminent language of the United States. (5:00) (Alien Nation is published by Random House) (Fresh Blood is published by Simon & Sh

NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports that some key decisions against affirmative action in higher education have stunned educators who've spent the past 25 years working on improving diversity. At a recent meeting of the National Conference of Blacks in Education, many educators say that they're comfortable with the prospect that affirmative action may be scaled back at the nation's colleges and universities, and they're looking for other ways to improve admissions for minorities.

Poet, performer, and punk rocker PATTI SMITH. Early in her career she lived with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, and -- she says -- the two helped each other form and develop their individual talents. (Her 1975 debut album cover was photograph was taken by Mappelthorpe.) Terry talks with SMITH on the occasion of the publication of, "Mappelthorpe Altars," (Random House) the color companion volume to the collection of his black-and-white prints, "Mapplethorpe" published in 1992. Also SMITH has a new short book she wrote dedicated to Mappelthorpe, "The Coral Sea," (W.W. Norton). (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW

on the increasing debate over today's "Take Our Daughters to Work Day".

The Supreme Court sided with gay rights activists today by throwing out a Colorado constitutional amendment. The measure had said that laws could NOT be enacted that protected homosexuals from discrimination. The justices ruled against the amendment by a 6-to-3 vote. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports that the majority opinion said the amendment would have denied gays a political right enjoyed by other people...the right to seek protection against discrimination.

NPR's Dan Charles reports that rain forecast for the Everglades is expected to hamper recovery efforts at the site. So far, NTSB investigators have recovered the caps of oxygen generators embedded in one of the tires the plane was carrying. An explosion and fire are suspected of causing the crash of Valujet 592 that killed 110 people last week. Questions are now being raised about the kind of fire detection and suppression equipment the DC-9 was carrying in the cargo section.

On October 12, 1958, a bomb exploded outside the most prominent Jewish synagogue in the Atlanta. It was a sign of the growing tensions over the civil rights movement between both whites and blacks, and also between whites sympathetic to the plight of blacks and white segregationists. Daniel speaks with author Melissa Fay Greene about her book "The Temple Bombing" which explores the implications of the bombing and the unique predicament of Southern Jews during the era of the Civil Rights Movement.

Representatives from the Government Accounting Office and Librarian of Congress James Billington faced off today at a Congressional hearing. The GAO has just released a very critical report of mismanagement at the Library of Congress. The report also challenges the Library's mission. Dean Olsher reports.

- NPR's Richard Harris explores why some noises are more annoying than others. Is it pitch? Perhaps fingernails across a chalkboard have too many high tones and not enough lows? Scientists have learned the secret and are applying their know how in all sorts of creative ways to make the world of sound more bearable.

What's behind the "discount" in a "discount airline" like ValuJet? NPR's Jim Zarroli reports on how the growing number of no-frills airlines cut their expenses, and whether an airline can lower operating costs without raising questions about safety.

NPR's Ted Clark reports on the Clinton administration's decision to target Chinese textile and electronics manufacturers for trade sanctions. The sanctions -- which would not be imposed for another month, and only if the two sides reach no last-minute agreement -- are meant to retaliate for China's alleged piracy of American movies, CDs, and software.