On June 24, 2013 NASA announced that there are over 10,000 observed comets and asteroids that pass near our planet but according to scientists only one could seal the human fate forever. According to the data collected so far, the probability of a future impact with Earth is quite large.
Based on the data obtained so far, there is 1 in 300 probability that the asteroid called 1950DA will collide with our planet, inflicting major damage that could not be compatible with human life on the planet. Although 0,03% risk of impact may seem like a small risk, the probability of a collision for this particular astronomical object is 50% higher than any other known dangerous asteroid.
If 1950 DA asteroid will hit Earth, the impact will be the equivalent of a 500,000 megaton explosion. A city like New York will be wiped off the Earth’s surface, and the entire planet will greatly suffer.
The celestial body is called 1950 DA since it was first observed back in 1950. Then it disappeared from the visual area of astronomical observation, but it was found again back in 2000. A year later, in 2001, scientists concluded that the astronomical object has a high rate of turnover (2.1 hours) and its trajectory brings it close to Earth with every rotation.
The good news is, however, that this impact could take place on March 16, 2880. For now, folks at NASA need more data in order to make a clean estimation on the effects of this potential impact and the exact location of the impact (if there will be any). Fortunately, experts say, we have just enough time (867 years) to find the technology and the method that could save us from this catastrophically event.
This is not the first time a large asteroid scars Earth. You probably heard about the 65 million years ago K/T impact, where a large asteroid ended the reign of dinosaurs on our planet.
In the following video, Neil DeGrasse Tyson presents in his own manner some of the ways we could deflect such a killer asteroid.
image source: www.astrosurf.com, dailymail.co.uk
