5 Near-Earth Objects That Could End the World

Near-Earth objects (NEOs) are small Solar System bodies that orbit the Sun in close proximity to Earth. By convention, a Solar System body is a NEO if its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) is less than 1.3 astronomical units (AU). If a NEO’s orbit crosses the Earth’s orbit, and the object is larger than 140 meters (460 ft) across, it is considered a potentially hazardous object (PHO). Most known PHOs and NEOs are asteroids, but a small fraction are comets.

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Different Types of Near-Earth objects (NEOs)

Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun. There are three main types of asteroids:
- C-type asteroids are the most common type of asteroid. They are made of carbon and silicate rocks.
- S-type asteroids are made of silica and metal.
- M-type asteroids are made of metal.
Comets are icy bodies that orbit the Sun. Comets have two main parts: a nucleus, which is made of ice and dust, and a coma, which is a cloud of gas and dust that surrounds the nucleus.

How Many Near-Earth objects (NEOs) Are There?

As of October 2023, there are over 27,000 known NEOs. However, scientists estimate that there may be millions of Near-Earth objects (NEOs) that have not yet been discovered.

How Are Near-Earth objects (NEOs) Discovered and Tracked?

NEOs are discovered using a variety of methods, including ground-based telescopes and space-based telescopes. Once an NEO has been discovered, its orbit is tracked using a network of telescopes around the world. This allows scientists to predict where the NEO will be in the future and to assess the risk of a collision with Earth.

Risk of a NEO Impact

The risk of a NEO impacting Earth is very small, but it is not zero. The most recent NEO to impact Earth was a small asteroid that exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia in 2013. The explosion injured over 1,500 people and caused significant damage.

What Would Happen if an NEO Hit Earth?

The consequences of an NEO impact would depend on the size and composition of the object. A small NEO could cause damage similar to that caused by the Chelyabinsk explosion. A larger NEO could cause widespread devastation, or even extinction.

What Are We Doing to Protect Ourselves from NEO Impacts?

There are a number of things that we are doing to protect ourselves from NEO impacts. One of the most important things is to continue to discover and track NEOs. This will allow us to predict where NEOs will be in the future and to assess the risk of a collision with Earth.

If a NEO is found to be on a collision course with Earth, there are a number of things that we could do to try to deflect it. One option is to use a spacecraft to collide with the NEO and knock it off course. Another option is to use a laser to heat up the NEO and cause it to evaporate.

Largest NEO Known to Science

The largest NEO known to science is the asteroid Apophis. Apophis is approximately 370 meters (1,210 ft) in diameter. It is classified as a PHO, but its orbit is not currently on a collision course with Earth.

Closest NEO to Earth

The closest NEO to Earth is the asteroid 2023 BU. 2023 BU is approximately 3.5 meters (11 ft) in diameter. It passed within 3,600 kilometers (2,240 miles) of Earth on January 26, 2023.

Most Dangerous NEO Known to Science

The most dangerous NEO known to science is the asteroid Bennu. Bennu is approximately 500 meters (1,640 ft) in diameter. It is classified as a PHO, and its orbit has a small chance of intersecting Earth’s orbit in the late 22nd century.

Using NEOs to Protect Earth from Asteroids

NEOs could be used to protect Earth from asteroids in a number of ways. For example, Near-Earth objects (NEOs) could be used to create a network of early warning systems that would alert us to the presence of incoming asteroids. NEOs could also be used to develop new technologies to deflect asteroids, such as spacecraft that could collide with asteroids and knock them off course.

Using Near-Earth objects (NEOs) to Exploit Resources from Space

NEOs could also be used to exploit resources from space. For example, Near-Earth objects (NEOs) could be mined for water, metals, and other valuable resources. NEOs could also be used as stepping stones for missions to Mars and other planets in the solar system.

Here are some additional details about how Near-Earth objects (NEOs) could be used to exploit resources from space:

Mining NEOs for water: Water is a valuable resource in space, and it can be used for drinking, irrigation, and producing rocket fuel. NEOs that contain water could be mined and the water extracted.
Mining NEOs for metals: NEOs can also be mined for metals such as platinum, gold, and nickel. These metals are valuable on Earth, and they could also be used to manufacture spacecraft and other equipment in space.
Using NEOs as stepping stones: Near-Earth objects (NEOs) could also be used as stepping stones for missions to Mars and other planets in the solar system. By landing on NEOs and refueling, spacecraft could travel longer distances and reach more destinations.

5 Near-Earth Objects That Could End the World

Near-Earth objects (NEOs) are asteroids and comets that orbit the Sun in close proximity to Earth. While the risk of a NEO impacting Earth is relatively low, it is not zero. If a large enough NEO were to hit Earth, it could cause a global catastrophe, wiping out all life on the planet.

Here are five NEOs that could potentially end the world:

Bennu: Bennu is a near-Earth asteroid that is approximately 500 meters (1,640 feet) in diameter. It is classified as a potentially hazardous object (PHO), meaning that it has a small chance of impacting Earth in the late 22nd century. If Bennu were to hit Earth, it would release the equivalent of 1,150 megatons of TNT, which is over 70 times the energy of the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima.
Apophis: Apophis is another near-Earth asteroid that is classified as a PHO. It is approximately 370 meters (1,210 feet) in diameter, and it has a small chance of impacting Earth in 2068. If Apophis were to hit Earth, it would release the equivalent of 1,700 megatons of TNT.
Didymos: Didymos is a binary near-Earth asteroid system, consisting of two asteroids: a larger asteroid with a diameter of approximately 780 meters (2,560 feet) and a smaller asteroid with a diameter of approximately 160 meters (520 feet). Didymos is not currently on a collision course with Earth, but it is the target of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which is scheduled to launch in 2022. The DART mission will attempt to deflect Didymos by crashing a spacecraft into it. This mission will help scientists to better understand how to deflect NEOs that pose a threat to Earth.
(99942) Apophis: Apophis is not the same asteroid as Apophis mentioned above. (99942) Apophis is a near-Earth asteroid that is approximately 300 meters (980 feet) in diameter. It is classified as a PHO, and it has a small chance of impacting Earth in 2043. If (99942) Apophis were to hit Earth, it would release the equivalent of 900 megatons of TNT.
(101955) Bennu: (101955) Bennu is not the same asteroid as Bennu mentioned above. (101955) Bennu is a near-Earth asteroid that is approximately 400 meters (1,310 feet) in diameter. It is classified as a PHO, and it has a small chance of impacting Earth in 2182. If (101955) Bennu were to hit Earth, it would release the equivalent of 1,200 megatons of TNT.

These are just a few examples of near-Earth objects that could potentially end the world. It is important to note that the risk of any of these asteroids impacting Earth is very low. However, it is still important to be aware of the potential threat posed by Near-Earth objects (NEOs) and to develop strategies for mitigating that risk.

In addition to the DART mission mentioned above, there are a number of other missions and technologies being developed to protect Earth from NEO impacts. For example, the NEO Scout mission is scheduled to launch in 2026. NEO Scout will survey the near-Earth asteroid population and identify any asteroids that pose a potential threat to Earth. The NEOCam mission is scheduled to launch in 2031. NEOCam will be an infrared telescope that will be used to detect and track Near-Earth objects (NEOs) that are too faint to be seen by visible light telescopes.

These missions and technologies will help us to better understand the NEO population and to develop strategies for deflecting any Near-Earth objects (NEOs) that pose a threat to Earth. It is important to continue to invest in these missions and technologies in order to protect our planet from the potential threat of NEO impacts.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Protection of Earth from Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly developing field with the potential to revolutionize the way we study and protect ourselves from NEOs. AI can be used to:

- Discover and track NEOs: AI can be used to analyze data from telescopes and other instruments to discover new NEOs and track their orbits. This is important because the earlier we know about an NEO, the more time we have to develop a plan to deflect it if necessary.
- Assess the risk of NEO impacts: AI can be used to assess the risk of NEOs impacting Earth, taking into account factors such as their size, orbit, and composition. This information is essential for developing strategies to mitigate the threat posed by Near-Earth objects (NEOs).
- Develop strategies for deflecting NEOs: AI can be used to develop strategies for deflecting NEOs that pose a threat to Earth. For example, AI could be used to design spacecraft that could collide with Near-Earth objects (NEOs) and knock them off course.

NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which launched in 2022, is an example of how AI is being used to protect Earth from Near-Earth objects (NEOs). DART will target the Didymos asteroid system, which consists of two asteroids: a larger asteroid with a diameter of approximately 780 meters (2,560 feet) and a smaller asteroid with a diameter of approximately 160 meters (520 feet). DART will attempt to deflect Didymos by crashing a spacecraft into it. This mission will help scientists to better understand how to deflect NEOs that pose a threat to Earth.

AI is still in its early stages of development, but it has the potential to play a major role in the study and protection against NEOs. As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and effective ways to use AI to mitigate the threat posed by NEOs.

How the Planetary Defense Program is Using AI to Protect Earth from NEOs

The Planetary Defense Program is a NASA-led program that coordinates international efforts to detect, track, and characterize NEOs that could potentially impact Earth and to develop strategies to mitigate the hazard. The program also works to educate the public about the NEO hazard and to raise awareness of the importance of planetary defense.

AI is playing an increasingly important role in the Planetary Defense program. Artificial intelligence is being used to develop new and more efficient ways to discover and track NEOs, to assess the risk of NEO impacts, and to develop strategies for deflecting NEOs that pose a threat to Earth.

Here are some specific examples of how AI is being used in the Planetary Defense program to study and protect against NEOs:

NASA’s Asteroid Watch program is using AI to help identify and track NEOs. AI algorithms are able to analyze data from telescopes and other instruments much more quickly and efficiently than humans, allowing scientists to discover and track more NEOs.
The European Space Agency’s NEOShield project is developing AI-powered tools to assess the risk of NEO impacts and to develop strategies for deflecting NEOs. These tools can help scientists to better understand the NEO threat and to develop more effective planetary defense strategies.
A team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley is developing an AI algorithm that can predict the orbits of NEOs with greater accuracy than traditional methods. This could help scientists to better understand the NEO threat and to develop more effective planetary defense strategies.

In addition to the examples listed above, Artificial intelligence could also be used in the Planetary Defense program to:

Develop new and more effective ways to communicate with the public about the NEO hazard and to raise awareness of the importance of planetary defense.
Develop new and more efficient ways to coordinate international efforts to detect, track, and characterize NEOs.
Develop new and more effective ways to educate the public about the Planetary Defense program and its goals.

Overall, AI has the potential to play a major role in the Planetary Defense program and in our efforts to protect Earth from the NEO threat.

How the Planetary Defense Program is using AI to protect Earth from NEOs

The Planetary Defense Program is using AI in a number of ways to protect Earth from NEOs. Here are a few examples:

AI is being used to develop new and more efficient ways to discover and track NEOs. AI algorithms can analyze data from telescopes and other instruments much more quickly and efficiently than humans, allowing scientists to discover and track more NEOs.
AI is being used to assess the risk of NEO impacts. AI algorithms can take into account a variety of factors, such as the size, orbit, and composition of an NEO, to assess the risk of it impacting Earth. This information can help scientists to develop more effective planetary defense strategies.
AI is being used to develop strategies for deflecting NEOs. AI algorithms can be used to design spacecraft that could collide with NEOs and knock them off course. This is one of the most promising ways to protect Earth from a potential NEO impact.

The future of AI in planetary defense

AI is still in its early stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we study and protect ourselves from NEOs. As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and effective ways to use artificial intelligence to mitigate the NEO threat.

For example, AI could be used to develop new ways to communicate with the public about the NEO hazard and to raise awareness of the importance of planetary defense. AI could also be used to develop new and more efficient ways to coordinate international efforts to detect, track, and characterize NEOs.

Overall, AI has the potential to play a major role in the Planetary Defense program and in our efforts to protect Earth from the NEO threat.

Conclusion

Near-Earth objects (NEOs) are a potential threat to humanity, but they are also a source of fascination and wonder. NEOs could potentially end the world, but they could also be used to exploit resources from space and to expand our knowledge of the solar system.

The best way to protect ourselves from NEO impacts is to continue to discover and track NEOs. This will allow us to identify any Near-Earth objects (NEOs) that pose a potential threat and to develop strategies for deflecting them. We also need to continue to invest in research and development of new technologies to deflect NEOs.

In addition to protecting ourselves from NEO impacts, we should also explore the potential benefits of Near-Earth objects (NEOs). NEOs could be mined for water, metals, and other valuable resources. Near-Earth objects (NEOs) could also be used as stepping stones for missions to Mars and other planets in the solar system.

Ultimately, NEOs are a reminder that we are part of a larger universe and that we are not immune to threats from beyond Earth. However, Near-Earth objects (NEOs) also represent an opportunity for us to learn more about the solar system and to develop new technologies that could benefit humanity.

By working together, we can learn to live in harmony with Near-Earth objects (NEOs) and harness their potential for good.