Armageddon was one of the most successful apocalyptic films in the 90s and early 2000s, as well as the now legendary Deep Impact with the meteorite impact that devastated New York City with a tsunami. The future seems at the mercy of an element outside the planet that can happen at any time. Science is trying to determine when this may happen, which is why NASA closely monitors any large objects approaching Earth.
Without a doubt, we are facing a major problem that could arise at any time and for which there seems to be no solution. At least, not one that does not involve the possible end of humanity as such. This meteorite similar to the one in the blockbuster movie Armageddon with Bruce Willis as the protagonist is one of the possibilities that could end up becoming reality, as we see a large and fast meteorite approaching our planet. The science fiction in these movies could end up being simply science if we pay attention to what experts say is a meteorite similar to those that arrived in these movies.
Approaching Earth
THE the reality is that a meteorite can end humanityin the same way it did with the dinosaurs, may be closer than it seems. NASA is trying to monitor these objects that travel through the solar system and come dangerously close to Earth. Especially if they meet certain conditions.
The size of the meteorite is one of the details that does not go unnoticed. Our atmosphere is able to avoid the impact of some space rocks that arrive, meteorites can end up arriving at full speed, without being perceived, but fortunately we have a layer that protects us to a certain extent.
A major impact occurred on Earth millions of years ago, changing the climate and even the position of the planet. Perhaps without it we would not be what we are today, but that does not mean we should visualize a major change in the coming days.
The future may be marked by what happens through these elements that are coming at great speed and setting off all the alarms when we encounter a real Armageddon.
Meteorite like Armageddon worries experts
NASA has set its eyes on a meteorite similar to the one in Armageddon, a movie that could become a reality in 2029. Perhaps we are closer than we seem to this end of humanity or a global security problem that would affect us all, although there are still problems. There are still a few years to go and we do not know what could happen.
NASA’s blog gives us more details on what could happen: “When it was discovered in 2004, Apophis was identified as one of the most dangerous asteroids that could impact Earth. But that assessment of the impact changed after astronomers tracked Apophis and its orbit was better determined. A radar observation campaign in March 2021, combined with a precise analysis of the orbit, allowed astronomers to conclude that there is no risk of Apophis impacting our planet for at least a century.
Continuing with the same explanation: “Apophis quickly gained notoriety as an asteroid that could pose a serious threat to Earth when astronomers predicted that it would pass uncomfortably close to us in 2029. With additional observations of Apophis, the risk of an impact in 2029 was later ruled out, as was the potential impact risk posed by another close flyby in 2036. However, as of March 2021, there was still a small chance of an impact in 2068. When Apophis made a distant flyby of Earth around March 5, 2021, astronomers took the opportunity to use powerful radar observations to refine their estimate of its orbit around the Sun to extremely high precision, allowing them to confidently rule out any risk of impact in 2068 and well beyond.” “A 2068 impact is no longer a possibility, and our calculations show no risk of impact for at least the next 100 years,” said Davide Farnocchia of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “Supported by recent optical observations and additional radar observations, the uncertainty in Apophis’ orbit has been reduced from hundreds of kilometers to just a handful of kilometers when projected to 2029. This greatly improved knowledge of its position in 2029 provides more certainty about its future motion, so we can now remove Apophis from the risk list.” Farnocchia was referring to the Sentry impact risk table. Maintained by CNEOS, the table lists the few asteroids whose orbits bring them so close to Earth that an impact cannot be ruled out. With recent discoveries, the risk picture no longer includes Apophis. Relying on optical telescopes and ground-based radars to help characterize the orbit of every known near-Earth object to improve long-term risk assessments, CNEOS calculates high-precision orbits in support of NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office. To arrive at the Apophis calculations in 2021, astronomers used the 70-meter (230-foot) radio antenna at the Deep Space Network’s Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex near Barstow, California, to precisely track Apophis’ motion. “Although Apophis had recently come close to Earth, it was still nearly 10.6 million kilometers (6.6 million miles) away.” [17 millones de kilómetros] far away. Nevertheless, we were able to acquire incredibly precise information about its distance, with an accuracy of about 150 meters. [490 pies]”This campaign not only helped us rule out any risk of impact, but also prepared us for a wonderful scientific opportunity,” said JPL scientist Marina Brozovic, who led the radar campaign.
