Possible risk in 2038
Currently, there are concerning predictions about a massive asteroid that could potentially collide with Earth on July 12, 2038.
This event has raised severe discussions on safeguarding our planet from such threats. In a noteworthy workshop held jointly by NASA and the Department of Physics at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, experts from various fields, including astronomers, physicists, and military leaders, have come together to delve into this critical issue.
Utilising advanced computer simulations to track the paths of asteroids, it has been determined that a colossal asteroid is on course to approach Earth on the date above.
The probability of this asteroid causing significant damage upon impact is estimated to be as high as 72% of the Earth’s crust.
As a result, scientists highlight the importance of developing plans to eliminate the asteroid or alter its trajectory to avert the potentially catastrophic consequences of a collision.
An asteroid that travelled dangerously close to Earth
In the past, there have been 52 instances where asteroids passed perilously close between the Earth and the Moon, posing a significant threat to our planet.
Several years ago, NASA sounded the alarm, warning that many identified and unidentified asteroids are expected to make their way past Earth in the coming years.
This revelation led NASA scientists to the chilling conclusion that even a slight alteration in the trajectory of these asteroids could result in a catastrophic collision with our planet, potentially causing widespread devastation.
Towards the end of 2017, NASA astonishingly observed the passage of an asteroid as large as a bus hurtling by the Earth at an astonishing speed of 34,000 kilometres per hour.
A deeply concerning aspect of this observation was that the existence of this potentially hazardous asteroid had not previously been known to scientists, underscoring the potential dangers associated with undetected celestial objects.
Asteroid collisions are not unfamiliar occurrences within our solar system and have been documented since its formation. They are a stark reminder that planetary collisions have shaped our solar system’s history and may continue to shape its future.
The collisions of asteroids in the universe cause explosions
100 million years ago, during the ancient history of our Moon, a colossal asteroid several kilometres in diameter collided with its surface, leaving behind the awe-inspiring Tycho crater, which still captivates observers today.
NASA’s observations reveal that this impact created an 85 km wide circle. These powerful shock waves scattered dust and rocks across the lunar landscape, extending a staggering distance of fifteen thousand kilometres.
The sheer energy released by this cataclysmic event is said to surpass the combined force of all nuclear weapons ever detonated on Earth. Moreover, scientists speculate that the Moon’s entire pockmarked surface, adorned with countless craters, was shaped by similar cosmic collisions throughout its existence.
Furthermore, a compelling theory suggests that the Moon was birthed from a colossal planetary collision, possibly with a heavenly significance as substantial as Mars.
The ‘Asgard Crater’ was the focus of scientists
Space explorers have observed evidence of early collisions on the Moon and on other planets of the solar system in the form of craters. Callisto, one of Jupiter’s moons, was discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610.
craters With a diameter of about 500 km. Callisto is larger than Pluto. It exhibits large craters similar to those on Mercury, believed to have been caused by collisions throughout Callisto’s history.
Images taken by NASA’s Voyager 2 and Galileo space probes reveal signs of massive craters. The Asgard crater, for instance, is estimated to be 1700 kilometres in diameter, and astronomers have identified a 6000-kilometre-long chain of craters on Callisto’s surface.
Earth is definitely a safe home
It is a well-established fact that the Earth we live on is a safe place, and astronomers have also confirmed this.
The safety of our planet has resulted in the survival of life for approximately 4 million years, which is why it is often stated that mankind still dominates the Earth.
This strong conclusion is drawn from studying other worlds in our solar system and exploring distant stars and galaxies. Earth is our secure home, and its existence must be safeguarded for future generations.
Even a safe home can be unsafe
It is essential to exercise extra caution as NASA emphasises the need for heightened awareness regarding the possibility of large celestial bodies impacting Earth.
The agency stresses that available technology should be maximised to address potential risks. NASA has highlighted the significance of ensuring Earth’s safety, considering the potential impact of a giant asteroid on July 12, 2038.
Even a secure environment can be vulnerable at times, so proactive measures must be taken to mitigate any potential risks that may arise in the next 14 years. If any celestial object threatens Earth, steps must be taken to destroy it in space or alter its trajectory. NASA is currently working on developing strategies to achieve this.
