There's a small but real (~1.2%) chance that a recently discovered asteroid (2024 YR4) could hit Earth in 2032.
It's now at the top of the European Space Agency's "Risk List."
How bad could it be?
It's now at the top of the European Space Agency's "Risk List."
How bad could it be?
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An asteroid estimated to be ~60m exploded in eastern Siberia, knocking down maybe 80 million trees over several hundred square miles. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunguska_event
Of course, if something like this happened near a city, it would be enormously destructive.
If it hit the water, it could trigger a tsunami, which could also cause significant local damage.
It could be a local disaster.
It wouldn't need to pencil out in a terms of strict costs and benefits. The information value, and even potential global cooperation needed, could be really valuable.