Huge asteroid could hit Earth – as soon as next year! Experts worried
For some years now, space researchers have been keeping a watchful eye on the asteroids and meteorites that drift through the vastness of space. That’s because some of these celestial bodies come menacingly close to Earth. For next year, the researchers now consider the impact of an asteroid on Earth possible.
Hits asteroid 2009JF in May 2022 on Earth?
At the moment, scientists are watching one asteroid very closely. This is a chunk of rock called 2009JF1. That’s because, according to experts, there’s a looming threat that this very asteroid could hit Earth in May 2022. Fortunately, 2009JF1 has a manageable size of around 13 meters. This means that the asteroid can cause damage in the event of an impact on Earth, but that there is generally no danger of the end of the world. The asteroid is too small for that. Instead 2009JF1 is to be compared by the size with the asteroid before years in the Russian city Chelyabinsk for thousands of broken windowpanes and numerous injured persons had provided.
Experts fear impact of 13-meter asteroid
Originally 2009JF1 seems to have been part of another asteroid and had detached then from this. Currently, the asteroid, which is just over 13 meters in diameter, is in an orbit that could guide the large chunk of rock directly toward Earth. For this reason, the European Space Agency ESA has now placed 2009JF2 on the risk list of dangerous asteroids. Scientists have been tracking the asteroid’s trajectory for some time. The chunk of rock is shooting through space at a speed of 59,000 kilometres per hour. According to the researchers’ calculations, an impact on Earth could occur in May 2022. Now, scientists are said to be looking for ways to divert the asteroid from its current orbit. Can scientists prevent 2009JF1’s impact on Earth after all?