An asteroid the size of a small truck passed close to Earth on January 26, 2023, drawing attention for the importance of preventing asteroids that could actually cause damage in the future, according to the astronomers.
While it posed no risk or threat to humans, the close approach of this asteroid raises questions about detecting and preventing impacts from similarly sized asteroids.
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The asteroid in question is known as 2023 BU and is at the smaller end of a larger group of asteroids with diameters of 5 to 50 meters.
Detecting objects of this size is difficult unless they are very close to Earth, making any efforts to prepare for a possible impact in populated areas difficult. This creates a blind spot in monitoring and preventing asteroid impacts.
low probability
Considering that a 5 meter rock hits Earth once a year and a 50 meter rock once a year every thousand years, the probability of an impact on Earth by a space rock in this size range is low. However, the probability increases with the size of the asteroid.
According to current capabilities, astronomers cannot detect when such a rock hits Earth until days before impact. This leaves Earth vulnerable to potential impacts that could be avoided with better detection capabilities.
NASA has prioritized detection of asteroids larger and more threatening than 2023 BU. However, astronomers consider it a risk to rely solely on statistical probabilities and asteroid population estimates.
Instead, there should be improvements in NASA's ability to detect smaller asteroids that could pose a threat to Earth.
Terik Daly, an asteroid expert, said:
“How many natural hazards are there that we could actually do something about and prevent for $1 billion? There are not many."
Asteroid detection gained importance after a US company launched a spacecraft the size of a fridge. against an asteroid to test the ability to divert a space rock from a potentially dangerous collision trajectory with the Earth.
Conclusion
While most asteroids that pose a threat to Earth are detected early, detection of smaller asteroids such as 2023 BU is difficult due to their size.
This creates a blind spot in monitoring and preventing asteroid impacts, leaving Earth vulnerable to potential impacts that could be avoided with better detection capabilities. Improvements to NASA's ability to detect smaller asteroids must be made to ensure Earth's safety from potential impacts.