Surprising Discoveries About Asteroid Bennu and its Potential Impact on Earth
NASA is closely monitoring asteroid Bennu, a 1,610-foot-wide celestial body that was first discovered in 1999. There is concern that this massive asteroid, taller than the Empire State Building, could potentially collide with Earth on September 24, 2182, releasing an energy equivalent to 1,200 megatons, making it 24 times more powerful than the most potent nuclear weapon ever created. While the chances of impact are considered slim (1 in 2,700 or 0.037%), Bennu is classified as a “potentially hazardous asteroid” and can come as close as 4.65 million miles from Earth.
The asteroid’s threat level is attributed to the possibility of it passing through a “gravitational keyhole” during a flyby, which could alter its trajectory towards Earth. Bennu makes close encounters with Earth every six years, with significant approaches in 1999, 2005, and 2011.
Bennu is a carbon-rich asteroid that holds valuable insights into the early solar system, potentially containing organic molecules necessary for life’s evolution. In 2020, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission briefly touched Bennu’s surface, collected samples, and returned them to Earth, a pioneering endeavor in asteroid exploration.
While the odds of Bennu causing catastrophe remain low, its presence reminds us of the need for continued vigilance and research into potentially hazardous celestial objects.
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