NASA scientists are closely monitoring a giant space rock called asteroid Bennu. This massive rock is about 1,610 feet wide, which is taller than even the Empire State Building. There’s a chance it might crash into Earth 159 years from now, possibly on September 24, 2182. If it does, it could be as powerful as 22 atomic bombs!
A Tiny Risk of Hitting Earth
NASA says there’s a super small chance that Bennu might pass through a special area in space called a “gravitational keyhole.” If that happens, it could set the asteroid on a path to collide with Earth in the late 22nd century.
Close Calls in the Past
Bennu has come close to Earth a few times before, in 1999, 2005, and 2011. But now, scientists think there’s a 1 in 2,700 chance, or just 0.037%, that it might hit us in 2182.
A “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid”
Even though the chances are low, NASA still calls Bennu a “potentially hazardous asteroid.” It could get as close as 4.65 million miles from Earth. But it’s not the only dangerous space rock out there. Another one to watch is called 1950 DA.
A Special Asteroid
Bennu is an interesting asteroid. It’s rich in carbon and was formed over 4.5 billion years ago. That’s a really long time ago! Scientists are curious about it because it could tell us about how planets like Earth formed. It might even have molecules that are important for life.
A Space Mission to Bennu
In 2020, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft touched Bennu’s surface, grabbed some samples, and then left. This was a big deal because it was the first time NASA did something like this. It’s all part of learning more about our solar system and the things that float around in it.
