Here is a study which, for once, wants to be reassuring: there is no reason to worry about the devastating impact of an asteroid on Earth for the next 1000 years. This is the conclusion of a team of NASA astronomers, who analyzed the trajectory of these celestial objects, focusing on those with a diameter greater than 1 km.
Last October, NASA managed to achieve what was once thought impossible: it deflected the trajectory of an asteroid that was dangerously approaching Earth. A first for humanity, which still aroused some fears among some. What if one of these giant asteroids were to crash into our planet one day? If this is a relatively well-worn disaster scenario in the cinema, it is nonetheless a significant probability.
That being said, it looks like we still have a bit of time before we suffer the same fate as the dinosaurs. Indeed, a team of NASA researchers, led by astronomer Davide Farnocchia, wanted to know if a next ice age was approaching. For this, they analyzed the trajectory of several asteroids located close to the Earth, in order to know if one of them is heading straight for our apple.
No devastating asteroid impact for at least 1000 years
Specifically, the scientists focused on asteroids larger than a kilometer in diameter, “because they are the ones that have the potential to cause global damage if they reach Earth”, explains Davide Farnocchia. However, the latter are not likely to crash into the Earth in the next 1000 years. The finding is just as reassuring for smaller celestial objects.
Related — The European Space Agency is asking for your help analyzing these images of a comet
None of them will fall to Earth in 100 years. Even so, if necessary, the damage caused will be far from being as dramatic as for their more imposing friends. No mass extinction from the skies on the horizon then, at least for a while. Moreover, as NASA recently showed us, we are now equipped to deal with this type of threat.
Source: Cornell University