NASA: What are the 6 most destructive asteroids – How at risk are we?

Scientists around the world were stunned by the fact that an asteroid was spotted just before it entered the Earth’s atmosphere.

The one-meter asteroid was spotted just eight hours before it burned up over the Philippines. Fortunately, this one was too small to cause any damage but concerns are being raised in the scientific community since it was spotted at the last minute and since 6 destructive asteroids are lurking.

What are the 6 “dangerous” asteroids?

1. Bennu

Discovered in September 1999, asteroid Bennu is currently considered one of the greatest threats to Earth.

At 1,574 feet (0.49 km) in diameter and weighing 67 million tons, Bennu is wider than the height of the Empire State Building and weighs 200 times as much.

Thanks to careful observation by NASA, scientists believe that Bennu has one in 2,700 chances to hit Earth on September 24, 2182.

However, because the asteroid is still far from Earth, it is possible that these predictions will change in the future.

If it were to collide with the planet, it would release energy equivalent to 1.4 billion tons of TNT.

2. 2023 DW – The Valentine Asteroid

Forgetting to give your partner flowers and chocolates on Valentine’s Day might not be a problem in 2046, as asteroid 2023 DW has a strong chance of colliding with Earth on February 14.

It is 50 meters in size, which is similar to the size of the asteroid that was devastating to Chelyabinsk in 2013.

Since the asteroid has been observed moving at a speed of 21.78 km/s, it could hit Earth with enough force to level an entire city.

3. 1950 DA

For NASA to consider something “potentially hazardous,” it must be 460 feet (140 meters) in size with an orbit that brings it so close, that is, within 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometers) of its orbit Earth around the Sun.

At 4,265 feet (1.3 km) in diameter and weighing 71 million tons, asteroid 1950 DA is more than 90 times that size.

This makes 1950 DA the largest asteroid that has a serious chance of colliding with our planet.

If it were to hit, the collision would release energy equivalent to the explosion of 75 billion tons of TNT—enough to trigger a global catastrophe like the one that wiped out the dinosaurs.

The asteroid is currently believed to have a one in 34,500 chance of hitting Earth on March 16, 2880.

4. 2023 TL4

Another asteroid that also has the potential to destroy humanity is 2023 TL4.

Scientists, after spotting the asteroid last year, immediately recognized it as one of the biggest threats to Earth.

The space rock has a diameter of 1,083 feet (0.33 kilometers) and is believed to weigh 43 million tons, or 4,500 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.

In the event of a collision, this could create an explosion 150 times more powerful than that of the Tsar Bomba, the most powerful nuclear weapon ever detonated.

Current estimates suggest that there is a one in 181,000 chance that this asteroid will collide with Earth on October 10, 2119.

5. 2007 FT3

If we’re incredibly unlucky, this 2,165-foot (0.34 km) asteroid could hit Earth as soon as October 5 this year.

However, current observations of the path of 2007 FT3 give it only a one in 11.5 million chance of happening.

The asteroid has a slightly better chance of hitting Earth on March 3, 2030, with a one in 10 million chance.

6. 1979 XB

With a diameter of 2,165 feet (0.34 kilometers) and a weight of 49 million tons, if asteroid 1979 XB were to hit Earth, it would easily be able to destroy an entire city.

First spotted in 1979, scientists believe this asteroid currently has a 1 in 1.8 million chance of hitting Earth.

What makes the 1979 XB terrifying is that it has essentially been “lost” since its discovery.

Despite how scary these figures may seem, most scientists agree that Earth is safe for now.