Gigantic asteroids considered potentially hazardous by NASA often approach our planet. Astronomers are worrying that one day, such a space rock will be on a collision course with Earth. If humanity doesn’t come up with new and efficient ideas, we’ll be doomed if a “Chicxulub 2.0” visits us.
According to SlashGear.com, a giant asteroid just passed by our planet on August 21. The space rock in question is 2016 AJ193, and it flew past the Earth at a speed of 58,000 mph and at a distance of less than 3,427,445 kilometers.
2016 AJ193 measures roughly 4800 feet wide
Measuring about 4800 feet wide and being comparable in size to the Pentagon according to NASA’s estimations, the 2016 AJ193 asteroid would certainly cause significant damage if it hits. The space rock passes through our Solar System once every six years.
The DNA India publication even said that the asteroid is bigger than Burj Khalifa from Dubai, meaning the tallest building in the world.
But don’t worry if you’re a stargazer like many of us. The asteroid wasn’t visible in the sky with the naked eye. Only astronomers could detect it with their fancy gears.
However, scientists continue to look for ways to deal with huge asteroids that could be on a collision course with our planet. NASA astronomers recently began planning to see if their technology can work in deflecting asteroids. Using the DART tool (Double Asteroid Redirection Test), NASA will try changing an asteroid’s course.
In general, no huge asteroid should hit our planet in the near future, according to astronomers’ calculations. However, NASA recently updated the risk posed by asteroid Bennu, revealing that it has a slight chance of colliding with our planet in over one hundred years. However, Bennu wouldn’t exactly be capable of destroying humanity since it measures only 262.5 meters in radius.
