Researchers prepare for an emergency. It was not until May 2019 that astronomers in Washington played through the consequences of an asteroid impact on Earth. They are also working on methods to avert an impact, such as by destroying chunks in time that are on a collision course. However, the basic prerequisite for this is that they know potential impactors.
For this, the European Space Agency Esa has a list in which it lists rocks that could be dangerous to the earth. Now another asteroid has been added: "2019 SU3" is in fourth place and is one of the most dangerous objects of its kind.
On 16 September 2084, the Brocken could hit the earth, reports the "International Business Times". The chance stands at one to 152. In other words: In one of 152 cases, a chunk with the trajectory of "2019 SU3" reaches the earth.
Brocken under increased observation
According to the media report, experts do not expect a global catastrophe in the event of an impact. For that, the asteroid is too small. The Esa has nevertheless put the object on their priority list. It is thus under increased observation.
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"2019 Su3" probably has a diameter of about 14 meters. For comparison, the Brocken, which hit in 2013 near the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, was 20 meters tall, before he met the earth's atmosphere.
Due to the huge explosion that occurred, windows broke. About 1,200 people had to be treated in hospitals, mostly because they had sustained cuts. After the incident, experts warned that small asteroids should not be underestimated.
Impact from 120 kilometers distance
"2019 SU3" will probably be heading for Earth at a distance of almost 120 kilometers in 65 years. At astronomical distances a small distance. "2019 SU3" still travels a long way around our home planet, crossing the orbits of Venus, Mercury and Mars, among other things - their gravitational force could ultimately bring the asteroid on a collision course with Earth. The Brocken would then plunge directly into the atmosphere.
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Next time, the body of rock will approach Earth on July 6, 2038, but then at a distance of more than ten million kilometers. To classify: The moon is a good 380,000 kilometers away.
It was only in September that the Esa pointed out that there are currently 878 known asteroids that could hit Earth in the next hundred years. All objects are listed with the least chance for a collision. The Esa also warned that even small asteroids - depending on the impact location - can cause severe damage to the earth.
Researchers worldwide are looking for more, as yet undiscovered asteroids that could be dangerous to our planet.