The threat of asteroids is a real concern, and NASA's lack of preparedness is a wake-up call for humanity. The article reveals a chilling fact: we are not ready for a potential city-destroying asteroid impact.
NASA's planetary defense officer, Kelly Fast, revealed a startling number: there are approximately 25,000 asteroids near Earth larger than 140 meters in diameter, and NASA only knows the whereabouts of 40% of them. But here's the twist: these asteroids are tricky to spot because they orbit the Sun alongside Earth. Telescopes primarily detect them when they reflect sunlight, but many remain hidden.
The Near-Earth Object Surveyor space telescope, launching in 2023, will employ thermal signatures to uncover these stealthy asteroids. This technology is a game-changer, but is it enough?
In 2022, NASA's Dart mission demonstrated the ability to redirect an asteroid's path, but the absence of a backup spacecraft is concerning. When asteroid YR4 caused a stir with a potential 3.2% chance of hitting Earth in 2032, NASA later ruled out the threat, but the lack of an immediate deflection plan is alarming.
The James Webb Space Telescope will monitor YR4 this week due to a 4% chance of a lunar impact, which could create a visible flash from Earth. And this is the part most people miss: NASA has the technology to protect Earth, but the question is, are we doing enough?
Fast highlights that small asteroids are frequent but harmless, while massive 'planet-killer' asteroids are easier to track. It's the mid-sized asteroids that could cause regional devastation. But here's where it gets controversial: are we focusing on the right threats? Should we be more concerned about these mid-sized asteroids than we are about larger ones?
The article leaves us with a sense of urgency and a call to action. What do you think? Are we doing enough to protect our planet from these cosmic threats?
