*sigh*
There are only - ahem - 2 ways they could have such info:
1. Foreknowledge (divine or otherwise),
2. Observation.
#2 is pertinent, considering the looming visit of Apophis. Perhaps it’s now dragging a companion through space - or its orbit has shifted - and the reality will cause worldwide breakdown when it’s able to be observed by telescopes they can’t control?
Such could be described as ‘Earth changing event’ preceding a potential global disaster, and might occur up to 2 years preceding the objects arrival as a NEO. Just sayin’.
[tin hat off]