The idea of a huge asteroid smashing into Earth may sound like the plot of a science-fiction blockbuster, but according to the European Space Agency (ESA) , it could soon become a reality.
ESA estimates that there are currently 878 asteroids in the ‘risk list’ for hitting Earth.
The space agency explained: “This ESA catalogue brings together all asteroids we know of that have a ‘non-zero’ chance of impacting Earth in the next 100 years – meaning that an impact, however unlikely, cannot be ruled out.”
Worryingly, an impact by even a small asteroid could cause ‘serious destruction’, according to ESA.
(Image: Science Photo Library RF)
To reduce the risk of such an event, ESA has joined with several international partners to search for asteroids, and develop technology to deflect them.
Over the next few days, planetary deference experts will meet in three locations across Europe to coordinate these efforts.
The first meeting will take place on 11-13 September in Rome, where experts will discuss NASA’s plans to crash its DART spacecraft into the 160-metre asteroid, Diymos-B.
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Next, on 12-13 September, experts will meet in Munich to discuss the recent ‘non-detection’ of asteroid 2006 QV89, which narrowly missed Earth on 9 September.
Finally, on 16-17 September, ESA will host an emergency response workshop in Darmstadt, Germany, with the purpose of establishing a link between ESA and national civil protection authorise.
ESA added: “These three meetings illustrate the breadth of activity currently taking place across the globe to mitigate the risk of an asteroid impact, to ensure early warnings of such a threat, and to prepare on Earth in the unlikely event of a strike – planetary defence is heating up!”