July 15, 16:00

NASA clarifies rumors about asteroid Bennu collision with Earth

Various news portals have speculated about a possible collision of the asteroid Bennu with Earth in the year 2182; however, NASA has clarified that this information contains distortions.

Characteristics and Monitoring of Bennu

Although the asteroid Bennu has a diameter of approximately 500 meters, it is classified as relatively small when compared to other celestial bodies. Due to its orbit, Bennu approaches the planet Earth every six years, reaching a distance of about 299 thousand kilometers. For this reason, scientists have been monitoring this space object for several years.

The American space agency, NASA, sent a mission dedicated to studying the asteroid, named OSIRIS-REx. This probe was launched in 2016, arrived at Bennu in 2018, and dedicated subsequent years to analyzing its physical and orbital characteristics. In 2020, the mission managed to collect a sample from the asteroid's surface, which was brought back to Earth in 2023. Investigations revealed that Bennu's rocky composition originated 4.6 billion years ago, coinciding with the birth of the Solar System.

Collision Probability

Based on this data, NASA performed a calculation regarding the possibility of a collision between Bennu and Earth, which generated significant repercussion on the internet. However, it is essential to emphasize that the chance of this event is extremely low. The total probability of Bennu colliding with Earth by the year 2300 is only 0.057%, indicating there is no reason for panic.

Future Approaches and Minimal Risks

According to NASA, a crucial moment in Bennu's trajectory will occur on September 25, 2135, when the asteroid will make its closest approach to the planet, but without any risk of impact. Earth's gravitational pull has the potential to slightly modify Bennu's orbit. In this scenario, there is an infinitesimal chance that the asteroid might pass through a spatial area known as a 'gravitational keyhole,' which could direct it toward a direct collision course in a later passage.

More Detailed Forecast

Determining the exact orbit of Bennu after this approach constitutes a considerable challenge. After a complex analysis considering multiple factors capable of altering its course, NASA concluded that the date with the highest probability of impact would be September 24, 2182, with a probability of only 0.037%. This means there is more than 99.9% chance that no collision will occur.

Continuous Monitoring

NASA continues to monitor the asteroid and improve its calculations. As they approach 2135, projections about Bennu's trajectory will become increasingly accurate.

olhardigital.com.brJuly 2, 21:44

Exoplanet GJ 3378b, 25 light-years away, is reevaluated as a potential habitable rocky world

Astronomers have conducted a new analysis of the exoplanet GJ 3378b, suggesting that it may possess characteristics more similar to Earth than previously believed. This celestial body is located approximately 25 light-years from our Solar System, orbiting a red dwarf star in the constellation of the Giraffe.

Scientific Review and Updated Data

The initial identification of the planet occurred in 2024, carried out by French researchers using measurements captured by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, installed at the Mauna Kea observatory. A subsequent update, conducted by scientists from the United States, refined the data, presenting significant changes regarding the planet's mass and orbit.

Although the planet is located in a region considered favorable for the existence of liquid water, specialists cannot yet confirm whether it has an atmosphere or if the conditions are suitable to sustain life. This is due to the intense activity of the host star, which may have caused the loss of gaseous layers over time.

Changes in Planetary Characteristics

The scientific reevaluation resulted in a reduction of the planet's mass estimate, dropping from 5.26 to about 2.3 times the mass of Earth. This change led to a modification of the initial classification, which pointed to a possible mini-Neptune, to a scenario more aligned with a rocky super-Earth.

Additionally, the orbital period was corrected from 25 to 21 days, implying closer proximity to its star. This adjustment strengthens the theory that the planet receives about 90% of the solar radiation that Earth receives, placing it within the estimated habitable zone. The detection method used did not rely on the planet passing in front of the star, but rather on the gravitational effect that induces a slight oscillatory movement in the star, detected through the spectral shift of the emitted light.

Challenges in Assessing Habitability

A crucial limitation is that the planet does not transit in front of its star, which prevents the use of telescope techniques like the James Webb to analyze its atmospheric composition. Consequently, it is impossible to identify any chemical signatures that could indicate life-favorable conditions.

Scientists warn that red dwarf stars have the capacity to emit very strong radiation, capable of stripping planetary atmospheres. For this reason, there is still no definitive consensus on the presence of gases around GJ 3378b. The scientific community's expectation is now focused on future missions, such as the Habitable Worlds Observatory, planned for the 2040s, which should help determine if the planet retains an atmosphere and if there are signs of a life-friendly environment.