A new report indicates that an asteroid tracked by NASA for nearly 25 years could potentially collide with Earth in the future. According to ABC News, citing the scientific team of NASA's OSIRIS-REx space mission, the asteroid 'Bennu', discovered in 1999, may move into Earth's orbit and could impact the planet by September 2182. Experts in a study published in ScienceDirect state that 'Bennu' passes close to Earth every six years and has come close to colliding with Earth three times - in 1999, 2005, and 2011. Researchers estimate a 1 in 2700 or 0.037% chance that Bennu will hit Earth by 2182. In October 2020, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft briefly touched the surface of Bennu and collected samples. The first sample collected by OSIRIS-REx landed on Earth in Utah on Sunday, September 17. Astrophysicist Hakeem Olivieri told ABC News that the OSIRIS-REx mission will change what people know about the origins of our solar system, stating, 'This is pure and untouched material that will reveal the early secrets of the solar system. It is a shot in the dark but may help in finding biological molecules or even precursor molecules for the potential existence of life.' The OSIRIS-REx mission has been NASA's first of its kind to date. According to IFLSci, a British science simplification site, if Bennu were to collide with Earth, it would release 1200 megatons of energy, which is 24 times more than the energy of the most powerful human-made nuclear weapon. Scientists noted in 2019 that the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs was equivalent to 10 billion powerful atomic bombs. Experts have found evidence in large rock fragments of Bennu indicating that its impact could cause wildfires and tsunamis, creating a significant amount of dust in the atmosphere that could block sunlight.
NASA: Asteroid 'Bennu' May Collide with Earth in the Future
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has revealed that the asteroid Bennu, discovered in 1999, may collide with Earth by 2182, with a low probability of 0.037%. This potential impact could release massive energy, comparable to nuclear weapons, and has significant implications for understanding the origins of the solar system and the potential for life.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
NASA reported that the asteroid Bennu, tracked for 25 years, has a small chance of colliding with Earth by 2182. The potential impact could release massive energy, raising concerns about planetary defense.
- Bennu has a 0.037% chance of hitting Earth by 2182.
- If it collides, it could release energy equivalent to 1200 megatons of TNT.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Asteroids like Bennu are remnants from the early solar system, and studying them can provide insights into its formation and the potential for life. The threat of asteroid impacts has been a concern since historical events like the extinction of the dinosaurs.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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