A Potentially Hazardous Asteroid: Bennu

A Close Call for Earth

On September 24, 2182, a relatively large space rock, Bennu, has a 0.037% chance of crashing onto the surface of Earth. Although the chances of impact are slim, Bennu is still one of the most potentially hazardous known asteroids in our solar system, and we need to be prepared for what could come. A first-of-its-kind study simulated the planet-wide damage that would be caused by Bennu’s unlikely impact, leading to a sudden onset of winter and global food shortages.

The Impact of Bennu on Earth’s Climate and Life

A group of researchers based in South Korea drew up scenarios indicating how Earth’s climate and life on our planet would be affected by the impact of a medium-sized asteroid like Bennu. The team found that such an impact would cause massive disruptions that could last up to three or four years. In the most intense scenario the team described, several hundred million tons of dust would significantly reduce the sunlight that reaches Earth’s surface, causing temperatures to drop around the world and affecting how plants grow on Earth.

The First Study to Model Earth’s Climate After an Asteroid Impact

The researchers published their study, which is the first to model Earth’s climate after an asteroid impact, in Science Advances. This groundbreaking research provides valuable insights into the potential consequences of an asteroid impact and highlights the importance of asteroid defense.

A Step Forward in Asteroid Defense

NASA’s successful Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in September 2022 proved humankind’s ability to change the trajectory of an asteroid, an immeasurably important step in proving out our ability to defend the planet from rocky interlopers from space. This achievement demonstrates our capacity to take action against potential threats and underscores the need for continued research and development in asteroid defense.

Immediate Threats to Earth

Besides the potential threat posed by Bennu, there are more immediate concerns. The recently discovered asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 1.9% chance (1-in-53 odds) of impacting Earth in 2032. Hopefully, the recent team’s simulations never come to pass—if not thanks to luck, than to humankind’s ingenuity and determination in face of a common threat.