NEOs are asteroids or comets that are very close to the Sun, about 50 million kilometers from Earth’s orbit. Some of them, ‘dangerous objects’ (PHOs), are even closer – in interstellar terms – with a minimum distance of less than 7.5 million kilometers.
Measuring more than 140 meters across, PHOs have the ability to draw local destruction with possible global consequences.
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Even smaller objects can still cause significant, albeit localized, damage. The object responsible for the Tunguska event on June 30, 1908 over Siberia, is believed to have been about 60 meters in diameter.
Them the largest asteroid impact event in recorded historyit was chosen in 2017 as an appropriate anniversary to commemorate International Asteroid Day.
Even smaller NEOs can be dangerous, damaging buildings and injuring people. On February 15, 2013, a large fireball about 20 meters across was scattered in the sky over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk.
According to the US Space Administration (NASA), the explosions have been released the normal capacity is around 440,000 tons of TNT and generated a shock wave that blew out windows and even damaged buildings. Complete 1,600 people were injured in the explosions, mostly because of broken glass.
Most of such objects come from the interior of the main asteroid belt of the Solar System. They grow under the influence of Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, and due to collisions between large space bodies.
Warning Network
UNOOSA, whose experts have been tracking NEOs for many years, emphasized that such a global issue deserves a strong global response. Addressing the risk, however like a page from a sci-fi novel, involves identifying the threats, and coming up with some solutions.
As a result, the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG) were established to coordinate globally. Planetary defense.
While the mission of IAWN is to provide Member States with comprehensive communication system and techniques to help make educated decisions in the case of an asteroid impact, SMPAG acts as an interagency forum that selects the technologies needed for NEO conversion and help reach consensus on Planetary defense action.
In practical terms this means that there should be a credible threat, IAWN will issue an alert.
If the thing is greater than 50 meters and the possibility of passing infection one percent within the next 50 years, SMPAG will evaluate mitigation options and come up with an implementation plan.
UNOOSA’s ultimate goal is to protect Earth and humanity from the destructive impact of asteroids and International Asteroid Day has over the years grown into a global education campaign to help do that.
If you want to know more about how UNOOSA is working to stop the sci-fi Armageddon from becoming reality, you can find more details on Near-Earth Objects and Earth Security, here.
