Friends of the asteroid, here we go again: JF1, a celestial object of estimated size like that of the Great Pyramid of Giza could hit the Earth on May 6, 2022, according to a statement released by NASA.
Here we are again with the asteroid alert: although there is currently a 3.800 in 0,026 chance of this happening (all things considered and given the precedents it is not that small, even if mathematically it is 1%), the asteroid JFXNUMX which can hit Earth still inspires fear.
Asteroid JF1, a small apocalypse
The scenario would be devastating, as in the apocalyptic films seen in recent years, or even worse: if the "city-killer" asteroid which they have given the name JF1 were to hit the Earth, the impact would be equivalent to the detonation of 230 kilotons of TNT. It is a power 15 times greater than that released by the atomic bomb that hit Hiroshima in 1945. In that case, "only" 15 kilotons were enough to raze the entire Japanese city to the ground.
Even if the asteroid were to avoid civilization and strike “the most remote part of the Pacific Ocean” (so says the statement), the impact would still be powerful enough to cause devastating tsunamis and a “nuclear winter lasting several years”.
Scientists estimate that the massive asteroid is around 130 meters in diameter, and for this reason since 2009 (the year of its discovery) it has been constantly monitored by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
We give thanks to Sentry, “space eye”
NASA JPL is keeping an eye on the giant asteroid JF1 through Sentry, “a highly automated collision monitoring system.”
Sentry continuously analyzes the most updated asteroid database possible, monitoring the trajectories of those who have the greatest chance of a future impact with Earth in the next 100 years.
The asteroid JF1 is the most suspected at the moment, but our eyes open will allow us to see a little in advance (hopefully, even if lately it's not like that) the dangers.
