Saturday, February 15, 2025
Contact    |    RSS icon Twitter icon Facebook icon  
Unexplained Mysteries
You are viewing: Home > News > Space & Astronomy > News story
Welcome Guest ( Login or Register )  
All ▾
Search Submit

Space & Astronomy

NASA reveals revised risk of Bennu collision

By T.K. Randall
August 12, 2021 · Comment icon 6 comments

Bennu is coming, but will it hit us ? Image Credit: NASA Goddard Conceptual Image Lab
At a news conference yesterday, the space agency revealed how likely it is that the asteroid will hit us.
When it comes to disaster scenarios, there are none quite as terrifying as the prospect of a gigantic asteroid hurtling into the Earth, causing untold devastation and wiping out human civilization.

This isn't a scenario limited to the movies either - it has happened multiple times throughout Earth's history, resulting in major extinction events such as the one that killed the dinosaurs.

As things stand, it is not a question of if it will happen again, but when.

One of the most disconcerting asteroids we currently know about is Bennu - a huge space rock measuring 200 meters across that has the potential to collide with the Earth in the near future.
Now according to NASA, the current data suggests that Bennu has a 1 in 1,750 chance of colliding with the Earth within the next 300 years - a slight increase on previous estimates.

The highest risk will come during a near-miss on September 24th, 2182.

While this might not sound particularly reassuring, these odds are still pretty small, leading NASA scientists to conclude that it is highly unlikely that we will need to take any action.

"In 2135, asteroid Bennu will make a close approach with Earth. Although the near-Earth object will not pose a danger to our planet at that time, scientists must understand Bennu's exact trajectory during that encounter in order to predict how Earth's gravity will alter the asteroid's path around the sun - and affect the hazard of [future] Earth impact," NASA said in a statement.

"Using NASA's Deep Space Network and state-of-the-art computer models, scientists were able to significantly shrink uncertainties in Bennu's orbit, determining its total impact probability through the year 2300 is about 1 in 1,750 (or 0.057%). The researchers were also able to identify Sept. 24, 2182, as the most significant single date in terms of a potential impact, with an impact probability of 1 in 2,700 (or about 0.037%)."

Source: EarthSky.org | Comments (6)




Other news and articles
Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #1 Posted by Robotic Jew 4 years ago
The amount of math that must go into these predictions gives me a massive headache. Kudos to those who enjoy doing this type of stuff. 
Comment icon #2 Posted by NCC1701 4 years ago
It would make a good sf-movie if the kinetic impact of Nasa's Osiris mission on Bennu's trajectory made it collide with earth in 2182.
Comment icon #3 Posted by joshy 4 years ago
Not like we'll still be around in any real capacity with the way the climate problem is going.
Comment icon #4 Posted by TwinStarScorpio 4 years ago
the top super powers need to send them ufos and nuke it :3
Comment icon #5 Posted by South Alabam 4 years ago
Technology has 100 years or more to remedy this particular asteroid. However, in the meantime here we are vulnerable to unknowns floating out there..
Comment icon #6 Posted by Manwon Lender 3 years ago
""Using NASA’s Deep Space Network and state-of-the-art computer models, scientists were able to significantly shrink uncertainties in Bennu’s orbit, determining its total impact probability through the year 2300 is about 1 in 1,750 (or 0.057%). The researchers were also able to identify September 24, 2182, as the most significant single date in terms of a potential impact, with an impact probability of 1 in 2,700 (or about 0.037%). Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center"" https://scitechdaily.com/nasa-upped-the-chance-of-asteroid-bennu-slamming-into-earth-putting-the-odds-in-perspect... [More]


Please Login or Register to post a comment.


Our new book is out now!
Book cover

The Unexplained Mysteries
Book of Weird News

 AVAILABLE NOW 

Take a walk on the weird side with this compilation of some of the weirdest stories ever to grace the pages of a newspaper.

Click here to learn more

We need your help!
Patreon logo

Support us on Patreon

 BONUS CONTENT 

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can gain access to a wide range of exclusive perks including our popular 'Lost Ghost Stories' series.

Click here to learn more

Recent news and articles