Each year for the past 78 years, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has published a new Doomsday Clock, suggesting just how close – or far – humanity is to destroying itself.

The Doomsday Clock now stands at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest to catastrophe in its nearly eight-decade history. Here's a look at how — and why — it's moved.

Humanity is closer to destroying itself, according to atomic scientists who revealed on Tuesday that the famous “Doomsday Clock” was set to 89 seconds to midnight — the closest it has ever been.

The Doomsday Clock is seen at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest the clock has ever been to midnight in its 78-year history. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images ...

The group started the Doomsday Clock two years later. The Clock's original setting in 1947 was seven minutes to midnight. It has since been set backward eight times and forward 18 times.

Doomsday Clock set at 89 seconds to midnight, representing threat to human existence and the planet The Chicago-based Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which runs the clock, decided to move the ...

Earth is moving closer to destruction, a science-oriented advocacy group said Tuesday as it advanced its famous “Doomsday Clock” to 89 seconds till midnight, the closest it has ever been.