Get Ready for Asteroid Bennu

Have you heard about the asteroid Bennu? With every new discovery about space, questions and even fears arise.

Are we ready for the impact of a celestial body with the power of 22 atomic bombs?

Find out below everything you need to know and how to stay informed about the trajectory of this asteroid.

What is the asteroid Bennu?

The asteroid Bennu is one of the celestial bodies most closely monitored by NASA scientists. It belongs to the category of “Near-Earth Objects” (NEOs), that is, asteroids that pass relatively close to Earth in their orbits.

Approximately 500 meters in diameter, Bennu has been studied in detail since its discovery in 1999, due to its unique characteristics and the possibility, albeit remote, of an impact in the future.

Why is the asteroid Bennu so worrying?

The answer lies in the devastating potential it carries.

In a hypothetical collision scenario, Bennu would release an energy of approximately 1,200 megatons, the equivalent of 22 Hiroshima atomic bombs.

This would cause catastrophic destruction, but fortunately the chances of this occurring are extremely low — about 1 in 2,700 by the year 2182.

The OSIRIS-REx Mission: Defending Humanity

What is NASA doing?
In response to the danger, NASA launched the OSIRIS-REx mission to study Bennu more closely. This mission collected samples from the asteroid’s surface, with the aim of understanding its composition and more accurately predicting its future trajectory. This is crucial for any preventive action that may be necessary.

This mission not only aims at planetary defense, but also enables a better understanding of the formation of the solar system. Just imagine: Bennu could be one of the oldest objects ever studied, with billions of years of history!

Furthermore, studying Bennu could help in the creation of technologies that allow deflecting or mitigating the impact of potential asteroids, should one day one of them actually pose a threat to Earth.

The real chance of asteroid Bennu impact

It's natural for the idea of an asteroid impact to cause apprehension, but it's important to stay informed and understand the real odds.

According to NASA, Bennu has a 0.037% chance of hitting Earth sometime in the next two centuries. In practical terms, this means the odds are in our favor.

However, as it is one of the most “dangerous” asteroids in terms of proximity and size, Bennu continues to be the subject of constant monitoring.

Every new discovery about it can help us take measures in advance to avoid a catastrophe.

How to Follow the News about Bennu?

Staying up-to-date is key! The OSIRIS-REx mission returned samples of the asteroid to Earth in 2023, and the results of these analyses could provide crucial insights into Bennu’s trajectory and behavior.

Additionally, several space agencies and scientific institutes around the world keep monitoring asteroids like Bennu, ensuring that any significant changes are detected and reported quickly.

Why is it important to stay informed?
New scientific discoveries not only help protect the planet, but also enable people to make more informed decisions about the future.

Following news about space connects us to the grandeur of the universe and at the same time places us as active agents in the preservation of our planet.

Should We Be Concerned?

The short answer is: there’s no reason to panic. While Bennu carries a great deal of destructive potential, the chances of impact are minimal, and efforts by NASA and other space agencies ensure that we are prepared to deal with any threat that may arise.

However, this does not mean that we should ignore the issue. Keeping up to date with advances in space science and new discoveries is crucial to understanding what might happen and how we can protect ourselves in the future.