The scientists behind the 'Doomsday Clock' will announce later today how close we are to our impending doom. 

As we've reported before, the 'Doomsday Clock' measures the likelihood of a global cataclysm. It reflects how vulnerable the world is to catastrophe from nuclear weapons, climate change and new technologies. 

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded in 1945 by University of Chicago scientists who helped develop the first atomic weapons. The clock was created two years later, with midnight symbolizing apocalypse.

Last year, the clock moved forward from 5 minutes to midnight to 3 minutes to midnight. Scientists cited climate change, modernization of nuclear weapons and outsized nuclear weapons arsenals as "extraordinary and undeniable threats to the continued existence of humanity."

The minute hand is re-examined this time every year with it sometimes remaining the same and even being moved in the opposite direction. The most recent time that happened was in 2010 when scientists cited that nuclear talks between the U.S. and Russia and an agreement to limit the rise of global temperatures. 

The main factors expected to influence the clock this year are tensions between the U.S and Russia and nuclear tests in North Korea. 

This year's position will be announced at 6.30pm today and you can watch the live stream of the announcement here

Via Mashable