CAN AN ASTEROID HIT THE EARTH ?

Asteroids are rocky or metallic celestial bodies that orbit around the Sun in the asteroid belt.
They are objects of scientific study and potentially valuable for future space resources.

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ASTEROIDS BELT.

Asteroids are primarily found in the asteroid belt, a region located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, although some can be found in other parts of the solar system.

Some asteroids have orbits that come close to Earth and can pose a potential threat to our planet in case of a collision. However, the majority of asteroids remain in stable orbits and do not pose a direct danger to Earth.

DINOSAUR EXTINCTION.

Asteroid impacts on Earth.

They have caused dinosaur extinction, created craters, triggered climate changes, influenced evolution, and provided opportunities for scientific study.

They are significant events in Earth's history with impacts on life, environment, and science.

Most well-known event.

Asteroid impacts in Earth's history occurred approximately 66 million years ago.

The event caused the famous extinction of dinosaurs, along with many other species of plants and animals.

CRATER FORMATION.

The amount of energy.

The impact released an enormous amount of energy, with an explosion equivalent to billions of atomic bombs, causing fires, tsunamis, and a global nuclear winter due to debris lifted into the atmosphere.

Asteroid impacts on Earth can cause the formation of craters, circular depressions on the Earth's surface.

CLIMATE CHANGES.

The planet's climate.

The impact of an asteroid can trigger large-scale fires, release large amounts of dust into the atmosphere.

The planet's evolution.

Impacts can cause habitat destruction, loss of species, and create new evolutionary opportunities.

Global cooling effect.

The Chicxulub impact caused long-term global cooling due to debris lifted into the atmosphere, which blocked sunlight, with consequences for the flora and fauna of that time.

Probably It caused the extinction of dinosaurs, paving the way for new forms of life on Earth.

The studies.

Asteroid impacts on Earth are events of great significance in the history of our planet with impacts on life, the environment and science.

The study of these impacts is important for understanding Earth's history and for mitigating potential risks from future asteroid impacts.

WE ARE NOT ALONE

See what NASA JPL is doing

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