Scientists are sure it will happen, what they do not know is when. Someday, Earth will again be significantly impacted by an asteroid, like the one that wiped out the largest land animals 65 million years ago. The Earth is often surrounded by these space rocks, which occasionally intersect in its path, and are seldom large enough to cause a cataclysm again that wipes out most living things, including creatures. Humans.
Therefore, there is a clear intervention protocol. And it is not for less, given that this hypothetical scenario is a real risk, unlikely, but possible. NASA has a detailed plan to divert potentially dangerous asteroids to Earth. And no, to the disappointment of moviegoers, Bruce Willis is not included.
The report has been published by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and is titled as follows: “National Strategy and Plan of Action for the Preparation of Near-Earth Objects.” The document narrates in just 18 pages such a complex action protocol, with a 10-year forecast, which is divided into five fundamental actions.
“The impact of an asteroid is one of the possible scenarios for which we must be prepared,” in the words of Leviticus Lewis, head of the Subdirectorate for National Response Coordination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
No one doubts that this action protocol is necessary, which has now undergone a major update. Now, what does it consist of?
The report details the action protocol, not only when a dangerous sighting occurs, but also implements solutions and improvements when it comes to detecting the objects themselves. Basically, it is intended to optimize the telescopes that are already scrutinizing objects that may be dangerous to the Earth, and all this in constant coordination and cooperation between countries. It also includes the request for an emergency protocol, but this has not yet been detailed.
And how to avoid the impact of a dangerous asteroid? Very simple: diverting its trajectory. NASA is already working on two missions that could achieve this goal; one of them will be launched at the end of 2021.
But, to what extent is this protocol necessary? Is the Earth currently facing a real threat? NASA has so far identified more than 95% of all asteroids that are large enough to cause a global catastrophe , and none of these pose a threat in the next 100 years.
However, smaller asteroids can also cause very serious damage. In addition, although the impact of an asteroid would be the worst we could imagine, we play to the advantage: “Unlike most natural disasters, asteroid impacts are predictable,” according to Aaron Miles, senior policy advisor to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
References:
‘Federal Government Releases National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Plan’. Junio, 2018. /Nasa.gov
‘National near-earth object preparedness strategy and action plan’. A Report by the interagency working group for detecting and mitigating the impact of earth-bound near-earth objects of the national science & technology council. June, 2018.
