Is Earth in danger of being hit? YES, this is a cosmic shooting gallery and Earth is a target
The inner Solar System is a cosmic shooting gallery, and Earth is a target. This is very apparent this year as NASA is tracking several objects headed our way.
Plans to deflect an asteroid include using lasers, mirrors, and solar sails to change its orbit.
LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- Anything headed towards Earth is of monumental importance. Earth has been impacted by asteroids and comets before, and these impacts have the potential to destroy and disrupt life on Earth.
There's no workable solution in place to save the planet, should something be detected on a collision path towards Earth. Still, NASA continues to search the sky because eventually something will hit, and our best chance for survival is early detection.
At present, the first object to come close will be "2016 WF9." This mysterious object is black like a comet but emits no dust or gasses. Astronomers can't agree if 2016 WF9 is a comet or an asteroid.
The object will pass about 32 million miles from Earth on February 25, and there is no danger to Earth now, or in the immediate future.
There are several comets that will pass Earth in 2016, as they fall in towards the Sun, and whip around and slingshot back out into deep space.
At present, at least two comets are close enough to Earth to be observed by backyard observers with telescopes or binoculars. Comet C/2016 U1 NEOWISE will pass closest to Earth on January 14 and should become visible in binoculars before that date.
A graphic showing the orbits of the asteroids that pose a danger to Earth. These are just the ones we know about.
Finally, Comet 45/P Honda-Mrkos-PajduĹˇĂˇkovĂˇ has already rounded the Sun and is headed back out into space. That comet made it around on January 1 and is currently visible in binoculars.
Comets are important objects to study because they are thought to be leftovers from the creation of the Solar System. Understanding comets will help astronomers understand how our Solar System was formed.
While NASA is worried about the possibility of a cosmic collision, it isn't very likely to happen. Millions of years can pass without such a collision. However, one collision is all it takes to eradicate all life which is why the search is so important. NASA is also developing the means to deflect or destroy any such threat.
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