These are the asteroids to worry about

TL;DR

Scientists struggle to detect dangerous asteroids before they strike, and existing methods of deflecting large asteroids are currently ineffective.

Transcript

• This video was sponsored by KiwiCo. More about them at the end of the show. On February 15th, 2013, over Chelyabinsk Russia, an asteroid heavier than the Eiffel tower slammed into the atmosphere. And then 30 kilometers above the ground, it exploded. This violent event was brighter than the sun, but so high up that it was silent, for a full 90 sec... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 Detecting asteroids is challenging due to their small size, dark surface, and the vastness of space.
• 🛩️ The majority of one to two-kilometer asteroids have been identified and their orbits predicted, but smaller asteroids remain a concern.
• 🤞 Current methods of deflecting large asteroids are ineffective, leaving evacuation as the most hopeful option in the event of an imminent impact.
• ⬜ The chances of a large, devastating asteroid hitting Earth in the near future are minimal, but the potential for smaller asteroids causing significant damage is a concern.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do scientists struggle to detect dangerous asteroids before they strike?

Detecting asteroids is difficult because they are small, have dark surfaces, and only reflect a small percentage of light. The vast expanse of space also makes it challenging to locate them.

Q: What are the chances of a large asteroid hitting Earth and causing widespread devastation?

The chances of a large asteroid hitting Earth are minimal, as scientists have successfully identified and tracked the majority of one to two-kilometer-sized asteroids. The probability of a 10-kilometer asteroid hitting Earth in one year is currently zero.

Q: Is there anything we can do to prevent an asteroid impact?

Current methods of deflecting asteroids, such as bombing or attaching rockets, are ineffective. Evacuation of target areas is also challenging due to the large number of people involved. The best option currently is to focus on detecting and tracking asteroids.

Q: What are the potential consequences of a one to two-kilometer asteroid impact?

A one to two-kilometer asteroid impact could cause massive damage, including the destruction of a large city, fires, and the ejection of high-speed debris which could obliterate a hundred-kilometer zone around the impact area.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• On February 15th, 2013, an asteroid exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, causing significant damage to buildings and injuring 1500 people.

• Scientists had predicted an asteroid fly-by on the same day, but failed to detect the one that exploded over Russia.

• Since 1988, over 1200 asteroids bigger than a meter have collided with Earth, with only five detected before impact.

• Detecting asteroids is challenging due to their small size, dark surface, and their tendency to only reflect a small percentage of light.