NASA has issued a statement regarding an asteroid, larger than the iconic Empire State Building, hurtling towards Earth. However, there’s no immediate cause for alarm as it’s not expected to make its close encounter until the year 2182. The space agency reassures the public that the probability of impact stands at a mere 0.05%.
Although the event is far in the future, understanding and preparing for such hazards remain crucial, given the recurring nature of asteroid threats throughout Earth’s history.
In a promising development, scientists have been actively exploring methods to mitigate such risks. Notably, NASA’s successful employment of the “Dart” mission in October 2022 demonstrated the feasibility of altering an asteroid’s trajectory using spacecraft.
The specific asteroid of concern, named “Bennu,” has made several close approaches to Earth since its discovery in 1999. While it presents a potential hazard, ongoing efforts in asteroid detection and deflection offer hope for safeguarding our planet from future impacts.