Asteroid Bennu has 1-in-2700 chance of Striking Earth in 2182 - The Cosmic Companion 11 August 2021
The asteroid Bennu has a 1-in-2700 chance of striking Earth in 2182, and we will see a close encounter in 2135. Well, WE won't see it...
The asteroid Bennu — half-a-kilometer across — may impact Earth in 2182. We’ll let you know in 2135.
Orbiting the Sun in an orbit that frequently approaches our own, the Asteroid Bennu is conveniently placed to visit with robotic spacecraft, and study-up-close. That same orbit also — occasionally — brings it dangerously close to our home world.
On Tuesday, 24 September 2182, Bennu has a small chance — currently calculated at 1-in-2700 — of impacting Earth.
A close approach to Earth coming on 25 September 2135 (mark your calendars now) will allow astronomers of the time (of whatever species is dominant then — human, tardigrade, or robotic overlords) to more precisely calculate the orbit of this body. At that time, the asteroid Bennu will pass Earth at around half the distance of the Moon.
Read more:
https://bit.ly/Asteroid-Bennu-Earth-2182
Join us on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion on 17 August, when we will talk with asteroid dynamicist Dr. Davide Farnocchia of JPL about this study!
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- James