NASA Predicted Giant Asteroid May Strike Earth

Summary

The video discusses the potential threat of asteroids, particularly focusing on the near-Earth object Bennu, which could collide with Earth in 2182. It highlights the importance of monitoring these celestial bodies and the challenges in observing them due to the sun's glare and Earth's atmosphere. The Dark Energy Camera is introduced as a tool for detecting asteroids in the inner solar system.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Hundreds of millions of rocks, known as asteroids, orbit the sun within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
• 🌍 NASA classifies asteroids that orbit within 30 million miles of Earth as Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), with some posing significant threats.
• 👀 NASA is closely monitoring an asteroid named Bennu, which has a potential to collide with Earth in 159 years.
• 🏙️ Asteroid Bennu is considered a 'potentially hazardous asteroid' due to its size and close proximity to Earth, even though the current risk of collision is low.
• 🔬 Bennu, a carbon-rich asteroid, is believed to hold precious clues to the origin and development of the rocky planets in our solar system.
• 🛰️ In 2012, NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission successfully touched the surface of Bennu to collect samples, marking the first mission of its kind.
• 👀 Another asteroid of concern is 99942 Apophis, which was initially identified as one of the most dangerous asteroids ever detected.
• 🛡️ After careful examination, astronomers have ruled out the risk of Apophis colliding with Earth for at least a century.
• 💥 The impact of an asteroid larger than 0.6 miles across can be catastrophic, hence the importance of tracking and understanding their orbits.
• 🔍 Detecting and tracking asteroids is crucial for planetary defense, yet our capabilities are not yet fully developed.
• 🌌 The Dark Energy Camera at the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory in Chile is being repurposed to aid in the search for near-Earth asteroids.

Q & A

What is the asteroid belt and where is it located?

The asteroid belt is a region in our solar system that contains hundreds of millions of rocks, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

What does NASA define as a near-Earth object?

NASA classifies asteroids that orbit within 30 million miles of our planet as near-Earth objects (NEOs).

Why is the asteroid named Bennu of particular concern to NASA?

Bennu is of concern because it is a fairly large asteroid with a potential to collide with Earth in 159 years, as per expert estimates.

What is the estimated date of a possible collision between Bennu and Earth?

If a collision occurs, it might happen on the 24th of September, 2182.

How does the size of asteroid Bennu compare to a well-known structure on Earth?

Asteroid Bennu is thought to be taller than the Empire State Building.

What is a gravitational keyhole and why is it significant in the context of asteroid Bennu?

A gravitational keyhole is a region of space that could set an asteroid on a certain path, potentially resulting in a collision with Earth. Bennu has a tiny chance of passing through such a keyhole during its flyby in the 22nd century.

What is the current estimated probability of Bennu impacting Earth by 2182?

The current estimated probability of Bennu hitting Earth by 2182 is 1 in 2700.

What is the significance of asteroid Bennu being carbon-rich and how does it relate to the origin of life?

Bennu being carbon-rich is significant as it may contain organic molecules similar to those crucial for life to evolve, providing precious clues to the origin and development of rocky planets in our solar system.

What is the OSIRIS-REx mission and what did it achieve?

OSIRIS-REx is a NASA mission that managed to briefly touch the surface of asteroid Bennu, collect samples, and propel them off the space rock for further study.

Why is it important to detect and track asteroids larger than 460 feet in diameter?

Asteroids larger than 460 feet in diameter are large enough to wipe out an entire city if they impact Earth, making their detection and tracking crucial for planetary defense.

What challenges do astronomers face when searching for asteroids in the inner solar system?

Astronomers face challenges such as the sun's glare creating a bright background glow and Earth's atmosphere distorting observations, making it difficult to spot faint asteroids near the sun.

How does the Dark Energy Camera help in the search for asteroids in the inner solar system?

The Dark Energy Camera, designed for wide and deep observations, helps astronomers fight the bright twilight sky and the distorting effect of Earth's atmosphere, making it well-suited for spotting faint asteroids near the sun.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Asteroid Threats and NASA's Monitoring Efforts

This paragraph discusses the potential threat of asteroids, particularly those classified as Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) by NASA. It focuses on the asteroid named Bennu, which has a 1 in 2700 chance of colliding with Earth by September 24, 2182. Bennu, first spotted in 1999, is a carbon-rich asteroid that could release 1,200 megatons of energy upon impact, which would be catastrophic. The paragraph also mentions the OSIRIS-REx mission, which successfully collected samples from Bennu. Additionally, it touches on another asteroid, 99942 Apophis, which was initially considered highly dangerous but later deemed not a threat for at least a century after further examination. The importance of monitoring and understanding the orbits and potential impacts of these asteroids is emphasized, as even small asteroids can cause significant damage.

05:01

🌌 The Challenge of Detecting Inner Solar System Asteroids

The second paragraph delves into the difficulties of detecting asteroids within the inner solar system, especially those near the orbit of Earth. It highlights the limitations of traditional telescopes due to the sun's glare and Earth's atmospheric distortion. The paragraph introduces the Dark Energy Camera (DEC) at the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory in Chile, which was originally designed to search for dark energy but is now being used to detect asteroids due to its wide and deep field of view. The DEC is capable of recording the motions of galaxies and is well-suited for spotting faint asteroids near the sun. The paragraph concludes by mentioning the DEC's role in one of the most sensitive searches for objects near Venus's orbit and within Earth's orbit, providing a valuable tool for discovering what kinds of objects are present in the inner solar system.

Keywords

💡Asteroid Belt

The Asteroid Belt is a region in our solar system located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, where a large number of asteroids are found. It is significant in the video as it sets the context for the discussion on near-Earth objects and the potential threat they pose. The script mentions that 'hundreds of millions of rocks orbit the sun within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter', indicating the vastness of this region and its importance to the theme of the video.

💡Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)

Near-Earth Objects refer to asteroids and comets that have orbits bringing them into proximity with Earth. Defined by NASA as those orbiting within 30 million miles of our planet, NEOs are central to the video's theme of potential asteroid threats. The script emphasizes the concern by stating 'NASA classifies asteroids orbiting within 30 million miles of our planet as near-Earth objects', highlighting the relevance of this classification to the discussion on asteroid impacts.

💡Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)

A Potentially Hazardous Asteroid is a subset of NEOs that are of a size and orbit that could pose a significant threat to Earth in the event of a collision. The term is crucial to the video's narrative, as it introduces the concept of asteroids that are particularly concerning. The script uses this term when discussing the asteroid 'Bennu', noting that 'Bennu is a carbon-rich asteroid... categorized as a potentially hazardous asteroid', illustrating the specific risks associated with such objects.

💡Bennu

Bennu is a specific asteroid mentioned in the script that has garnered attention due to its potential to collide with Earth. It serves as a prime example in the video to illustrate the concept of hazardous asteroids. The script provides details about Bennu, such as 'NASA's OSIRIS-REx managed to briefly touch the surface of the asteroid', demonstrating the scientific interest and the potential threat it poses.

💡Gravitational Keyhole

A Gravitational Keyhole is a region of space through which an object, such as an asteroid, can pass during a close encounter with a planet, potentially altering its orbit in a way that could lead to a future collision. The concept is integral to the video's exploration of the dynamics of asteroid orbits. The script explains that 'during the flyby in the 22nd century there's a tiny chance that the asteroid will pass through a gravitational keyhole', indicating the role of such keyholes in determining the trajectory and threat level of asteroids.

💡Asteroid Apophis (99942 Apophis)

Apophis is another asteroid discussed in the video, noted for its initial classification as a highly dangerous object due to its size and proximity to Earth. It exemplifies the evolving understanding of asteroid threats. The script mentions 'Asteroid 99942 Apophis... was discovered in 2004 and at first it was identified as one of the most dangerous asteroids ever detected', showing how perceptions of risk can change with further analysis.

💡Impact Energy

Impact Energy refers to the energy released during an asteroid collision with a celestial body, such as Earth. It is a critical concept in the video as it quantifies the potential destructive power of an asteroid. The script uses the term in the context of Bennu, stating 'the collision will release 1,200 megatons of energy', emphasizing the catastrophic potential of large asteroid impacts.

💡Dark Energy Camera (DEC)

The Dark Energy Camera is an instrument used for astronomical observations, originally designed to search for dark energy but also repurposed for detecting asteroids. It is highlighted in the video as a tool for identifying inner solar system objects. The script describes its capabilities, noting 'the DEC is perfectly suited to spotting asteroids near the sun', and its role in the 'most sensitive searches ever performed for objects near Venus's orbit and within the orbit of our planet'.

💡Chicxulub Crater

The Chicxulub Crater is a geological feature on Earth associated with the asteroid impact that is believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. It serves as a historical reference point in the video to illustrate the devastating effects of asteroid impacts. The script mentions 'the most well-known asteroid impact site is the Chicxulub crater', using it as an example of the catastrophic consequences of such events.

💡Baringer Crater (Meteor Crater)

Baringer Crater, also known as Meteor Crater, is another impact site mentioned in the video, providing a visual example of the damage an asteroid impact can cause. It is used to emphasize the tangible results of asteroid collisions. The script describes it as 'rather blood chilling when you think about the collision that led to its appearance', reinforcing the video's message about the seriousness of asteroid impacts.

Highlights

Hundreds of millions of rocks orbit the sun within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

NASA classifies asteroids orbiting within 30 million miles of Earth as near-Earth objects.

Asteroids that are large and orbit closely to Earth could pose a real threat in the event of a direct collision.

NASA is monitoring an asteroid named Bennu, which might collide with Earth in 159 years.

Bennu, first spotted in 1999, is likely to drift into Earth's orbit and collide by September 24, 2182.

Asteroid Bennu is taller than the Empire State Building and could release 1,200 megatons of energy upon impact.

There's a tiny chance that Bennu will pass through a gravitational keyhole during its flyby in the 22nd century, potentially leading to a collision.

Bennu flies by Earth every 6 years and has had three close encounters in 1999, 2005, and 2011.

The chance of Bennu hitting Earth by 2182 is estimated at 1 in 2700, higher than the odds of being struck by lightning.

Bennu is categorized as a potentially hazardous asteroid due to its close proximity to Earth, even though the collision risk is low.

Bennu is a carbon-rich asteroid formed in the first 10 million years of the solar system's history, holding clues to the origin and development of rocky planets.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission in 2020 successfully touched the surface of Bennu and collected samples.

Asteroid 99942 Apophis is another near-Earth object, initially identified as highly dangerous.

Apophis was predicted to come uncomfortably close to Earth in 2029, but further examination ruled out any risk of collision for at least a century.

Apophis' potential impact risk in 2068 was ruled out after a precise orbit estimation using radar during its 2021 flyby.

Even small asteroids can cause significant damage, and those larger than 0.6 miles are termed planet destroyers.

Our capability to protect the planet from asteroid impacts is not yet fully developed.

The Chicxulub crater is evidence of a devastating asteroid impact that led to the extinction of dinosaurs.

There are around 25,000 asteroids larger than 460 ft near Earth's orbit, capable of wiping out an entire city.

Less than 50% of such large asteroids have been detected and tracked.

The Dark Energy Camera at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory in Chile is used to spot asteroids near the sun.

The Dark Energy Camera is well-suited for spotting faint asteroids due to its wide and deep field of view.

The camera was initially built for the Dark Energy Survey but is now used for other tasks, including asteroid detection.

Transcripts

hundreds of millions of rocks orbit the

sun within the asteroid belt between

Mars and Jupiter but only some of them

come relatively close to Earth NASA

classifies asteroids orbiting within 30

million miles of our planet as near

Earth objects and inside this group

there are particularly worrisome objects

those are so large and orbit so closely

to our home planet that they could turn

into a real threat to the world should a

direct Collision occur at the moment

NASA is keeping a close eye on an

asteroid named benu it's a fairly large

space object that might smash into our

planet in 159 years according to the

experts the asteroid which was first

spotted in 1999 is quite likely to drift

into the orbit of our planet if it

happens it might collide with Earth by

the 24th of September

2182 asteroid venu is thought to be

taller than the Empire State Building if

that hits our planet the Collision will

release 1,200 megatons of energy that's

an enormous amount of energy that

nothing built on Earth could produce

scientists from NASA believe that during

the flyby in the 22nd century there's a

tiny chance that the asteroid will pass

through a gravitational Keyhole that's a

region of space that might set the space

traveler on a certain path which could

result in the asteroid crashing into

Earth benu flies by our planet every 6

years it has had three close encounters

with Earth in 1999 2005 and 2011 these

days scientists estimate the chance of

the asteroid hitting our planet by

2182 as 1 in

2700 that's more than 5 times a person's

chance of being struck by

lightning but even though bennu's chance

of colliding with Earth are quite low at

the moment the space Rock has still been

categorized as a quote potentially

hazardous asteroid all because it might

come as close as

4.65 million miles from Earth that's the

reason why it's also classified as a

near Earth object benu is a carbon Rich

asteroid that was formed in the first 10

million years of the history of the

solar system that's around 4.5 billion

years ago no wonder this space body

holds precious Clues to the origin and

development of the rocky planets of our

solar system which are as you recall

Mercury Venus Earth and Mars even better

it may contain organic molecules similar

to those that are crucial for life to

evolve in 20120 NASA's oseris Rex

managed to briefly touch the surface of

the asteroid it collected some samples

and propelled off the space Rock

afterward for NASA it was the first

mission of this

kind but it won't probably come as a

surprise that benu isn't the only

asteroid we should worry about asteroid

99942

apus is another space body we'd better

watch out for it's a near Earth object

about 1,100 ft across it was discovered

in 2004 and at first it was identified

as one of the most dangerous asteroids

ever detected ooh apus gained notoriety

very fast it was believed to pose a

serious threat to Earth experts

predicted that it would come

uncomfortably close to our planet in

2029 luckily after a more careful

examination of aus and its orbit

astronomers concluded that there was no

risk of the asteroid colliding with our

planet for at least a century the risk

of an impact in 2029 was ruled out

completely as well as the potential

impact that could be caused by the

asteroids close approach in

2036 interestingly until March 2021

there was a small chance of a collision

in

2068 but then apus made a flyby of Earth

and astronomers took this chance to use

powerful Radars to estimate the

asteroids orbit around the sun more

precisely this allowed them to rule out

any impact risk for at least the next

100

years now the reason why such

discoveries make us so worried is that

even a relatively small asteroid the

size of a house can wreak havoc upon

colliding with our planet and if an

asteroid is larger than 0.6 M across

astronomers call it a planet Destroyer

the impact energy released by such an

asteroid after striking Earth could be

devastating that's why knowing where

such asteroids are and in what direction

they're moving is crucial the problem is

that our capability to protect the

planet from asteroid impacts is not

topnotch yet if such a catastrophe was

about to occur we would need some time

to prepare because an asteroid Collision

is no joke probably the most well-known

asteroid impact side is the chickalo

crater is the evidence of the terrifying

Collision that led to the extinction of

dinosaurs strangely this crater isn't

very visible but some others are for

example Behringer crater in Arizona

which is also called meteor crater it

looks rather blood chilling when you

think about the Collision that led to

its

appearance in any case we now know that

space rocks hit not only the Earth but

also the moon Mercury and Mars no Rocky

planet in the solar system is safe from

asteroid impacts that's why we have an

entire scientific Enterprise whose goal

is to find and catalog the asteroid

population of the solar system now it

might sound a bit scary but there are

around 25,000 asteroids larger than 460

ft in diameter near the orbit of our

planet such a space rock is large enough

to wipe an entire city off the face of

the Earth so far less than 50% of such

asteroids have been detected and tracked

there are also an estimated 230,000

objects equal to or larger than 160 ft

in size those are capable of destroying

a concentrated urban area and still

fewer than 8% of those have been

detected there are also tens of millions

of smaller neear objects they are larger

than 33 ft across and might cause some

surface damage less than 1% of such

small space bodies have been discovered

so

far now the thing is the inner solar

system is extremely challenging for

asteroid surch each night there are only

two 10-minute Windows when astronomers

can observe the region all because the

sun's glare creates a very bright

background glow plus the atmosphere of

our planet also distorts and blurs

observations spotting asteroids in such

conditions is beyond the capabilities of

most telescopes a unique instrument is

needed to fulfill this task and the tool

of choice is the dark energy camera at

serot too interamerican observatory in

Chile this device wasn't designed to

hunt asteroids researchers built it to

search for another elusive Target Dark

Energy the mysterious Force driving the

expansion of the universe the dec is

supposed to observe hundreds of millions

of galaxies that's why is both wide and

deep this way it can both peer deep into

the universe and capture a wide field of

view which helps it record the Motions

of galaxies and the conditions in the

early age of the

universe but it also means that the dec

is perfectly suited to spotting

asteroids near the sun inner asteroids

are rare and deep images are necessary

because such asteroids are faint

scientists need to be able to fight both

the bright twilight sky near our star

and the distorting effect of Earth's

atmosphere and the dec can help them

achieve their goal the dark energy

camera was built to carry out the dark

energy survey which finished in 2019 now

astronomers can direct the power of the

camera towards other tasks they claim

that the dec's survey is one of the most

sensitive searches ever perform for

objects near Venus's orbit and within

the orbit of our planet it provides us a

great chance to find out what kinds of

objects are lurking in the inner solar

system

that's it for today so hey if you

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