The vast expanse of space surrounding our planet isn't as empty as it seems. Scientists believe that more than a million near-Earth objects (NEOs), primarily asteroids, are large enough to cause significant damage if they were to collide with Earth. The problem? We've only identified about one percent of them.
This startling statistic highlights a dangerous gap in our planetary defense. While organizations like NASA and other international space agencies are actively scanning the skies, the sheer number of NEOs makes complete tracking a monumental challenge. The size of an asteroid needed to cause widespread destruction is surprisingly modest; an object only a few hundred meters across could level a city.
The current state of NEO detection leaves us vulnerable. Without knowing the size, trajectory, and composition of these objects, predicting potential impacts remains difficult. Increased investment in telescopic surveys, advanced tracking algorithms, and even potential asteroid deflection technologies are crucial to mitigating this cosmic threat. Until we have a better understanding of the NEO population, Earth remains in a precarious position, playing what some scientists call a "cosmic roulette."
Near-Earth Asteroids: A Potential Threat We Barely Understand
Scientists estimate that over a million asteroids large enough to devastate a city orbit near Earth. However, we've only identified a tiny fraction of these potentially hazardous near-Earth objects. This lack of knowledge creates a significant risk, as we may have little to no warning before a catastrophic impact. Experts are calling for increased efforts to track and catalog these celestial bodies to better protect our planet.
Source: Read the original article at CBS