NASA scientists are assessing the possibility of asteroid Bennu colliding with Earth in the future, potentially impacting an area comparable to the size of Texas.

Bennu, categorized as a Near-Earth Object (NEO), orbits close to our planet approximately every six years. Scientists have been monitoring it since its discovery in September 1999.

Researchers suggest that there is an exceedingly slim chance that Bennu might pass through a critical zone known as a “gravity keyhole,” redirecting its path towards Earth in the year 2182.

A recent paper from the OSIRIS-REx science team estimates that Bennu has a 0.037% probability (1 in 2,700) of colliding with Earth, contingent on another close approach, WTAJ reported.

In 2135, Bennu will make a near-Earth pass, during which Earth’s gravitational pull could potentially influence its trajectory, setting it on a course to collide with our planet on September 24, 2182—almost 159 years from the time of this writing.

Bennu, measuring a third of a mile wide, is roughly equivalent to three city blocks in size and has the potential to impact an area as large as Texas upon collision.

It’s important to note that Bennu is significantly smaller than the asteroid responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, which was estimated to be six miles wide.

While smaller in size, a Bennu impact could unleash energy equivalent to approximately 22 atomic bombs, according to Earth.com.

Written by staff