Asteroid Bennu: All About The Asteroid Likely To Hit Earth In 2182

Remember when we all believed that the world would come to an end with the 2012 catastrophe? Days into the last month of the year the tension was tangible. Thankfully, the havoc didn't befall us. It's been a while since a prediction like the Mayan calendar came in.

If a new theory by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is to be believed, there is a small chance that asteroid Bennu will hit Earth in the next 159 years on September 24, 2182.

NASA's Bennu Theory

As per a post on an Instagram page called Inside History, NASA has confirmed that there is an 'extremely small chance' that Bennu will hit the Earth. The date will be falling at the end of the 22nd century.

The post further explained that Bennu passed the Earth every six years and it is half the size of the asteroid that is believed to have killed dinosaurs. Based on the calculation, if it crashes into the earth, it will lead to devastation 600 miles from the crash site but it isn't enough to lead to worldwide extinction.

Scientists have predicted that if the asteroid hits Earth, the force will be equal to that of 22 atomic bombs. NASA (NASA's space flower - Zinnia) is now working on a plan to stop the asteroid's collision with Earth.

What Is Bennu?

Bennu is a B-type asteroid with a - 500-meter diameter. As per a report by asteroid mission.org, Bennu completes an orbit around the sun every 1.2 years and it comes close to Earth every 6 years. On analysis, the team shared that there are chances of Bennu hitting the Earth in the late 22nd century.

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NASA Gets Samples From Bennu

Last month, NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer team managed to get a sample of rocks and dust from asteroid Bennu. It landed on Earth on September 24 at 9:52 a.m. Once it landed, it was transferred to a clean room set up where it was given a continuous flow of nitrogen.

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On studying the sample, the scientists discovered that Bennu is a potentially hazardous asteroid. Further, the sample will help the team understand the types of asteroids that are likely to come Earth's way.