Scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have warned of a cosmic event as a large asteroid called 2022 TN1 is rapidly approaching Earth. The giant rock, with a diameter of 329 meters, will be deadly close to our planet on April 30, 2024.
The asteroid is expected to pass within 7,130,461 miles of Earth, less than 19 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon. It will flyby at an astounding speed of 63,828 kilometers per hour; It is going to be a close encounter that stunned experts. But it is an important reminder of the potential danger for our Earth.
The main belt between Mars and Jupiter is known as the home of most of the asteroids in the solar system. But 2022 TN1 looks like a cosmic rover, with an orbit that doesn’t follow traditional patterns. Its journey takes it on a path that sometimes brings it uncomfortably close to the Earth.
What if a giant rock hits our planet?
The result will be catastrophic. Evidence suggests that a similar asteroid hits Earth every 166,000 years, causing devastating damage. The collision will result in the formation of a cave 580 meters deep and 9.7 km wide. The energy released would be equivalent to 12 gigatons of TNT, which will result in the vaporization of approximately 690,000 people near the impact site.
But the fear doesn’t end there. If the asteroid hits residential areas, the 15-kilometer fireball will cause damage to approximately 13.5 million people and 9 million people will be seriously injured. Trees in a 130-kilometer radius will instantly catch fire.
The most damaging effect is the deafening shock of 241 decibels. This force will wipe out 10 million people and destroy every home within a hundred miles. In addition, while a 7.2 magnitude underground earthquake can cause the possibility of serious damage in around 240 kilometers of area, scientists are constantly working on ways to prevent this bad situation from happening. NASA is at the forefront of developing new technologies to repel the impact of asteroids, including kinetic impactors, ion beam guides, and even nuclear explosions.
While the chances of an asteroid impact are remote, events like 2022 TN1’s approach are an important reminder of the importance of protecting the planet to protect our world from the dangers of space.