Being hit by an asteroid is a big fear for many people, and a valid one at that! Near Earth Objects, known as “NEO’s” can be deadly to the entire human race if the asteroid or comet is large enough.
In order for an asteroid or a comet to be considered a Near Earth Object, it must pass within 30 million miles of the Earth (or 48.3 million kilometers. NEO’s have been a concern by NASA since the 1970’s, when they first started studying them.
Remember the conspiracy theories going on a few years back about Planet X? Some people were unfazed, but there were other people who were panicked. Well apparently NASA and the White House are working hard on making sure that there is a strategy plan in place to keep the earth safe and to identify possible NEO threats.
The Chelyabinsk Russia Asteroid was only 20 meters in size, but could have caused significant damage. The asteroid exploded prior to impacting Earth, but as a result, it released 20 to 30 times more energy than the energy released by the first atomic bombs. In Pasadena, California, NASA actually has a center dedicated for studying Near-Earth Objects in a location called the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
According to NASA’s Planetary Defense Officer at NASA Headquarters, Lindley Johnson, “The nation already has significant scientific technical and operation capabilities that are relevant to asteroid impact prevention.” The strategy plan for finding potential NEO’s has been increased and The White House has officially released a 20 page document titled “The National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan.”
Lindley also stated “Implementing the National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Plan will greatly increase our nation’s readiness and work with international partners to effectively respond should a new potential impact be detected.” NASA feels this new Strategy Plan will dramatically increase how prepared we are in the case of a large NEO approaching Earth.
The plan includes 5 points (or goals) which are enhance detection and tracking of NEO’s, improve predictions based on models of impacts, create ways to avoid impact and for NEO deflection, increase cooperation internationally for NEO preparation, and establish procedures based on emergency NEO impact possibilities.
Currently, you do not need to worry about getting hit by an asteroid while grocery shopping, and with this new strategy plan, The White House is working hard to keep it that way. How do you feel about NEO’s? Has a potential NEO impact on the Earth ever been a worry of yours? Do you feel an impact would end life as we know it? Tell us your thoughts!
SEE MORE HERE:
https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/271953-nasa-asteroid-impact-preparedness-plan
https://www.space.com/40948-japan-hayabusa2-probe-nears-asteroid-ryugu.html
View the National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan here:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/National-Near-Earth-Object-Preparedness-Strategy-and-Action-Plan-23-pages-1MB.pdf