Experts are sounding the alarm about the potential threat posed by thousands of “city killer” asteroids. A significant number of medium-sized asteroids remain undetected, increasing the risk of a collision with Earth.
The Asteroid Threat: A Chilling Reality
According to NASA, around 15,000 medium-sized asteroids may be on a collision course with our planet. Currently, scientists estimate that approximately 50% of these 140-meter asteroids are unknown to us.
Funding and Preparedness Issues
Despite successful missions like NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), which demonstrated that we can alter an asteroid’s path, there is no current system fully prepared to address an impending threat. Dr. Nancy Chabot, the mission chief from Johns Hopkins University, expressed concerns over funding for planetary defense initiatives.
- NASA lacks adequate funding to keep planetary defense systems on standby.
- Dr. Kelly Fast, Planetary Defense Officer at NASA, highlighted her concerns about untracked mid-sized asteroids.
- Estimates suggest that around 25,000 asteroids of this size exist, with only 40% currently identified.
Concerns about Smaller and Larger Asteroids
While small asteroids, which frequently make contact with Earth, are less concerning, threats from mid-sized asteroids are being emphasized. These asteroids could cause significant regional damage and are still largely untracked.
Upcoming Celestial Events
In addition to the asteroid threat, a new city-sized comet named Wierzchoś (C/2024 E1) is approaching Earth. First observed in March 2024 by Polish astronomer Kacper Wierzchoś, this comet is about 8.5 miles (13.7 km) in diameter and is rapidly brightening as it nears its closest point to our planet.
This comet could take decades, or even centuries, to exit the solar system and may drift through the Milky Way for billions of years, potentially passing other star systems along the way.
Conclusion
As we navigate the challenges posed by potential space threats, increased funding and improved tracking of asteroids are crucial. Without these advancements, humanity remains vulnerable to devastating impacts from unknown cosmic bodies.
