Asteroids that are around the same distance from the Sun as the Earth frequently make close approaches to the planet. There is no cause for concern among the general public. There are no major asteroid impacts expected for the next few centuries.
An illustration of a near Earth asteroid. (Image Credit: Bing Image Creator).
New Delhi: A tiny, schoolbus sized asteroid is scheduled for a close encounter with the Earth on 25 April, 2024. The space rock designated as 2021 VH2 will hurtle past the planet at a relatively staid 2.69 kilometres per second. 2021 VH2 measures between 4.6 and ten metres across and will approach within 35,64,506 kilometres of the Earth, which is less than ten times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
Most of the asteroids occupy the main belt between Mars and Jupiter, but there are populations of asteroids peppered throughout the Solar System, with over 30,000 in the same neighbourhood around the Sun, as the Earth. 2021 VH2 belongs to a group of asteroids known as Apollos, that have orbits larger than that of the Earth, but ones that approach or intersect with that of the Earth. 2021 VH2 has an orbit that is very similar to that of the Earth, is a frequent visitor to the planet, and never strays too far away.
What would happen if 2021 VH2 struck the planet?
An asteroid comparable to 2021 VH2 actually strikes the planet about once a year, blowing up in the atmosphere at an altitude of 18 kilometres. The airburst would release the energy equivalent of three Kilotons of TNT. Such strikes are of little consequence to life on the planet, as these asteroids are too small to reach the surface and create an impact crater.
How to deflect an asteroid?
Humanity has demonstrated a single method to deflect an asteroid, which is by using a kinetic impactor. This method essentially involves ramming a spacecraft into the side of an asteroid. It currently takes between five and ten years to mount such a mission. The earlier a potential impactor is identified, the lesser energy is required to push it to a safer trajectory.
NASA intends to develop and demonstrate a number of innovative, novel technologies to deflect asteroids, including gravity tractors, ion beam shepherds and good, old-fashioned nuclear explosives.
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