NASA paid a space expert $1 billion to lead a mission to stop the potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu from crashing into Earth. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collected a sample from Bennu in 2020, providing valuable insight to prevent a potential impact. If Bennu were to crash into Earth, it would create devastating consequences, including a blast equivalent to 1,450 megatons of TNT, leaving a crater four miles wide and half a mile deep, triggering an earthquake and powerful winds, and causing long-lasting disruptions.
NASA has revealed that over 100 "known near-Earth asteroids" passed closer to Earth than the Moon in the past year, with 13 flying past in November alone. In total, 2,818 near-Earth asteroids were discovered in 2023, bringing the total number discovered by NASA to 33,884. The article also highlights five dangerous asteroids on NASA's list, including Bennu, which has a 1 in 2,700 chance of impacting Earth in 2182. Additionally, it mentions several near-Earth asteroids that passed by Earth in 2023, including one the size of Vatican City and another the size of the Burj Khalifa. While most near-Earth asteroids pose no risk of impact, a small fraction, known as potentially hazardous asteroids, require more attention.
The US Supreme Court appears cautious about making significant changes to tax law in a closely watched case. The court's justices expressed concerns about the potential impact of upending the existing tax law during oral arguments. The case involves a challenge to a provision in the Affordable Care Act that requires individuals to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for the future of tax law in the United States.
Scientists warn that a close encounter with a rogue star could pose a significant threat to Earth and the solar system. Research explores the potential consequences of a hypothetical visit from an interstellar star that has escaped its original galaxy. Computer models suggest that while there is a 92% chance that the known planets in our solar system would remain in their current orbits or similar ones, the encounter could cause irreversible disruption, including changes to planetary orbits and potential collisions. The likelihood of such an event is low, but its impact would fundamentally reshape the orbital arrangement of our planetary neighborhood.
NASA has warned that a "lost asteroid" named 2007 FT3, which was first spotted in 2007 but lost soon after, has a slim chance of striking Earth in 2024 or 2030. The probability of impact is estimated to be 1 in 10 million or 1 in 11.5 million, respectively. If it were to hit, the asteroid could cause regional destruction but not a global catastrophe like the extinction of the dinosaurs. NASA tracks over 32,000 known near-Earth asteroids and considers 29075 (1950 DA) as the second riskiest, with a 1 in 34,500 chance of hitting Earth in 2880, posing a threat to humanity's existence.
NASA scientists have identified an asteroid, known as 2007 FT3, that could potentially strike Earth in October 2024. While the chances are extremely low (1 in 11.5 million), if it were to hit, it could cause regional destruction but not a global catastrophe. Another asteroid, 29075 (1950 DA), poses a higher risk and has a 1 in 34,500 chance of hitting Earth in 2880, with the potential to wipe out humanity. Studying asteroids is crucial not only for understanding the Solar System's formation but also for assessing potential threats to our planet.
NASA has detected a 150-foot asteroid, named 2023 TO15, approaching Earth at a speed of 40,299 km/h. However, it poses no threat to our planet as it is too small to be classified as a potentially hazardous object. NASA and other space agencies constantly monitor such objects and have strategies in place to prevent or mitigate any possible impact scenarios. While asteroids hitting Earth can cause significant damage, most larger ones are accounted for and their orbits are known not to impact Earth.
NASA is closely monitoring asteroid Bennu, which has a theoretical possibility of entering Earth's orbit and posing a threat by September 24, 2182. Bennu measures around 1,610 feet in diameter and could unleash 1,200 megatons of energy upon impact, making it 24 times more powerful than the most potent nuclear weapon ever created. While the chances of it hitting Earth are very low, Bennu remains one of the two most hazardous known asteroids in our solar system.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission is set to return to Earth on Sunday, bringing back samples from the asteroid Bennu. However, a recent study suggests that Bennu could potentially collide with Earth in 2182, passing through a "gravitational keyhole." The chances of impact are small, with a 1 in 2,700 probability. Bennu, discovered in 1999, is about one-third of a mile wide and rich in carbon, making it a valuable source of information about the formation of the solar system. The samples collected by OSIRIS-REx will be examined in a laboratory in Houston.
NASA scientists monitoring the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft have warned that the asteroid Bennu, which is larger than the Empire State Building and makes a close approach to Earth every six years, has a 1 in 2,700 chance of hitting Earth on September 24, 2182. The asteroid's impact would release 1,200 megatons of energy, but NASA believes it could burn up in the sun or is more likely to hit Venus.
Astronomers have warned that a solar storm generated by the Sun's recent spewing of immense energy is likely to hit Earth, posing a threat to electronic infrastructure such as the Internet, electricity, mobile phones, and satellites. The recent M2.12-class solar flare eruption caused shortwave radio blackouts across the American continents, and there are concerns about a potential solar storm approaching Earth triggered by Region 3425's M2-flare and a filament launch. The impact is yet to be confirmed, but it is projected to occur around late September 10 or early September 11.
A tropical depression is likely to form in the Gulf of Mexico and could potentially impact the Tampa Bay area next week. The system, if it develops, could become a tropical storm named Idalia. While the chances of it reaching hurricane status seem minimal, residents should expect heavy rain, tropical downpours, wind gusts of 40 mph or higher, and coastal flooding. The Yucatan Peninsula, western Cuba, and Florida are advised to monitor the system.
