The 2021 PDC asteroid impact probability increases, NASA recommends launching an asteroid impact defense exercise?

Living on earth seems very safe, but the universe is actually full of dangers. Astronomers have so far discovered more than 25,000 impact-threatening asteroids and comets.

Although most of the asteroids discovered by astronomers do not actually threaten the earth, it actually depends entirely on luck. If there is a day when humans are unlucky, the asteroid may meet the earth at some point!

Asteroid PDC may hit Earth in October?

For astronomers, both close and large-scale asteroids or comets are unsettling.

If an asteroid with a relatively close distance hits, the preparation time left for humans is very limited, and the probability of impact will also be greatly increased; asteroids with larger sizes are likely to have a serious impact on the earth. If an asteroid If the diameter exceeds 10 kilometers, it may cause biological extinction.

Asteroid 2021PDC, in the initial observation stage, astronomers believed that the probability of the asteroid hitting the earth was only 2500/1, but as more and more astronomical agencies observe the asteroid, this risk has recently been raised to 20 /1, is a probability that requires international attention.

Asteroid orbit calculation is a very complicated process. At present, astronomers are still verifying the orbit of the PDC. According to the current state of asteroid movement, astronomers have marked the possible impact points on the earth - except for Antarctica, the entire earth may be is the impact area.

According to the current observational data, the diameter of the PDC is between 35 meters and 700 meters, and the impact time is around the end of October. If it hits the land directly, it will have serious consequences.

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2021 PDC May Require Global Defense Exercises?

From the increase in the probability of an asteroid PDC impact to the predicted impact time, the period is only 6 months, which is a very short period and the situation that astronomers are most worried about.

The specific information of the asteroid PDC has been released by NASA on the website. At the same time, asteroid defense experts have proposed that the team should start a hypothetical asteroid impact and conduct corresponding defense exercises.

Although the impact probability of asteroids is still changing and confirmed, humans need enough time to prepare and defend against asteroids.

Before the exercise, planetary defense experts proposed a series of plans to prevent the asteroid from hitting the earth.

If the asteroid is still some distance away from the earth, humans can launch missiles or other heavy objects to slow down the asteroid. Although it cannot destroy the asteroid in space or prevent the asteroid from advancing, it can make the asteroid and the earth miss the intersection point, allowing the asteroid to miss the intersection. Earth passes safely through the impact location.

For large-sized asteroids, it is basically impossible to stop them in a short time. If they can be found in time, then a large carbon fiber mesh can be weaved, and the carbon fiber mesh can act as a solar sail to continuously decelerate the asteroid and avoid hitting the earth.

The number of asteroids in the universe is very large. If astronomers do not observe the asteroid that is about to hit the earth in time, then humans can only use nuclear weapons to quickly vaporize and slow down the asteroid, thereby reducing the risk of impact.

However, whether it is to use weapons or carbon fiber nets, humans need to use rockets to launch, and at the same time calculate the orbit. Judging from the current aerospace technology, the speed of human movement in space is too slow. The journey time of the rocket, calculating the orbit, hitting the asteroid, it's a very tight time interval.

Astronomers believe that humans should detect the impact risk of asteroids 10 years in advance, and if they are found months in advance, then humans have only one chance.

2021 PDC hits the earth, what will happen?

Although the probability of an asteroid PDC hitting the earth is high, since the vast majority of the earth is ocean and no-man’s land, the probability of a PDC hitting the earth causing extreme damage is less than 5%

However, in the case of uncertainty, 5% is also a high probability. If the impact point of the asteroid is located in a densely populated city, then a large-scale evacuation is required, and the damage of the direct impact of the asteroid is minimized. Experts in multiple fields are needed for discussion, as well as worldwide cooperation.

It takes astronomers, physicists, human community managers, and more to work together to keep people safe and minimize losses.

Summarize:

When the earth is in the universe, it is not surprising when an asteroid strikes. It is just a matter of probability and time.

However, with the development of human science and technology, how to take the initiative to deal with asteroids has become an increasingly urgent task. Although these disasters may only occur once in 100 years, it is necessary for us to respond in time every time they occur. matter!