On Wednesday, scientists around the world were surprised by the unexpected entry of a previously undetected asteroid into Earth’s atmosphere. The tiny asteroid, just one meter (3 feet) wide, called 2024 RW1, was identified just eight hours before it flashed across the skies over the Philippines. Fortunately, the asteroid was small enough to cause no harm. However, the unexpected event is a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in our solar system, highlighting the need for monitoring and efforts to better prepare for future asteroid collisions.
Experts have warned that many asteroids are at risk of colliding with the Earth. Live Science Report.
1. Bennu
Meet Benu.
Bennu is a near-Earth asteroid being explored by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. OSIRIS-REx arrived at Bennu in December 2018 and expected to find a sandy beach-like surface. The expectations did not match reality.
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– NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) 2 March 2020
Asteroid Bennu, discovered in 1999, is currently the biggest threat to impact our planet. At 1,574 feet in diameter and weighing 67 million tons, it is wider than the Empire State Building and 200 times heavier. NASA observations show that the chance of impact on September 24, 2182 is 1 in 2,700. If Bennu hits Earth, it will release energy equivalent to 1.4 billion tons of TNT, more than the combined energy of all nuclear weapons ever detonated.
2. 2023 DW – Valentine’s Day Asteroid
Asteroid 2023 DW has a high probability of hitting Earth on February 14, 2046. With a diameter of 166 feet (50 meters), it is comparable in size to the asteroid that caused the devastating Chelyabinsk event in 2013. Traveling at a speed of 21.78 km/s relative to the Sun, the potential impact could destroy an entire city. Initially, space agencies estimated the probability of a collision to be 1 in 607. However, recent observations have reduced the risk significantly.
3. 1950 DA
Asteroid 1950 DA is 4,265 feet (1.3 km) in diameter and weighs 71 million tons. Its enormous size and potential impact make it the greatest threat to Earth, with its collision releasing energy equivalent to the explosion of 75 billion tons of TNT, capable of causing a global catastrophe on the scale of the dinosaur extinction event. Currently, the asteroid has a 1 in 34,500 chance of hitting Earth on March 16, 2880. In 2032, it will safely pass within 6,959,357 miles (112,000,000 km). In preparation for potential future threats, NASA and ESA are already testing asteroid deflection methods, including high-speed satellite collisions, to move dangerous asteroids out of the way.
4. 2023 TL4
Asteroid 2023 TL4, discovered last year, has been identified as a potential civilization-ending threat due to its enormous size and weight. At 1,083 feet (0.33 km) in diameter and weighing 43 million tons, this space rock could unleash an explosion 150 times more powerful than the Tsar Bomba. Fortunately, scientists have estimated the relatively low collision risk of 1 in 181,000 on October 10, 2119, giving space agencies plenty of time to take action.
5. 2007 FT3
Asteroid 2007 FT3 is classified as a “lost asteroid” because it was last observed in 2007. Despite the uncertainty, NASA estimates a low probability of impact, with a 1 in 10 million (0.0000096%) chance of hitting Earth on 3 March 2030, and a slightly lower probability of 1 in 11.5 million (0.0000087%) on 5 October 2024. If an impact were to occur in either year, the asteroid’s energy release would be equivalent to 2.6 billion tons of TNT, potentially causing regional devastation, but global devastation is unlikely.
6. 1979 XB
Asteroid 1979 XB, which has been invisible for nearly 40 years, is another “lost asteroid.” Despite the uncertainty, scientists have estimated a 1 in 1.8 million chance (0.000055%) of impact on December 14, 2113, based on observations from its initial discovery on December 11, 1979. If 1979 XB hits Earth, the impact will release a massive amount of energy, equivalent to the explosion of 30 billion tons of TNT.
Asteroids hitting Earth
Asteroid collisions with Earth are surprisingly common, with NASA estimating that 48.5 tons of meteoric material enter our atmosphere each day. Most burn up, producing a meteor shower. However, large objects penetrating the atmosphere and hitting Earth are rare. Just because asteroid collisions are unlikely doesn’t mean they are impossible.
To mitigate this risk, NASA and the European Space Agency operate programs to identify, classify, and track near-Earth objects (NEOs). These initiatives help monitor potential threats, ensuring we are better prepared for an asteroid impact.
