NASA has announced a plan to protect our planet from potentially dangerous asteroids, often referred to as “planet killers.” These are the types of asteroids believed to have contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs around 66 million years ago. The space agency recently released the National Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan for Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and Hazards, which outlines a comprehensive approach to deal with these hazardous celestial bodies.
While there’s currently no immediate threat from asteroids, NASA is not taking any chances. The agency is preparing for emergencies by developing a fleet of “1,000 spacecraft” that would be ready to launch at a moment’s notice. These spacecraft could intercept and redirect a large asteroid that is on a collision course with Earth.
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In situations where an asteroid cannot be deflected in time, NASA is considering a last-resort option: using nuclear response. This approach is reminiscent of the plot from the 1998 movie “Armageddon.”
NASA’s plans are motivated by the serious consequences of an asteroid impact. If a planet killer, like the one responsible for the Chicxulub impact, were to strike Earth, the results could be catastrophic. Such an impact would generate intense heat, vaporise materials, and create dust clouds that could block sunlight, leading to what scientists call an “impact winter.” This drastic change in climate could result in mass extinctions.
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NASA is determined to ensure that our planet is protected from the dangers posed by asteroids, emphasising the importance of preparedness and proactive measures. With these strategies in place, the agency hopes to safeguard life on Earth from the potential devastation of a catastrophic asteroid impact.