Jupiter has a huge influence in the Solarsystem, the big gravitation of Jupiter and also the Sun can deflect most of the asteroids and Comets from the Earth orbit, but in certain circumstances can do the opposite and launch objects into Earth's orbit, depending on what angle they enter the system..
A good example is Apophis (∅~370 m), which is coming to visit us in 2029, although at quite a distance, but it will return in Abril 2036 and in this case, if it passes through a certain point there is a possibility that it will impact the Earth..
Show
https://neal.fun/asteroid-launcher/
Simulate an impact where ever you want and see the consecuences scrolling down the results.
There are several plans to avoid it, but it depends of several factors. We can avoid an impact if we know the exact position several Years before the supposed impact, if not, there is nothing we can do.
Jupiter has a huge influence in the Solarsystem, the big gravitation of Jupiter and also the Sun can deflect most of the asteroids and Comets from the Earth orbit, but in certain circumstances can do the opposite and launch objects into Earth's orbit, depending on what angle they enter the system..
A good example is Apophis (∅~370 m), which is coming to visit us in 2029, although at quite a distance, but it will return in Abril 2036 and in this case, if it passes through a certain point there is a possibility that it will impact the Earth..
https://neal.fun/asteroid-launcher/
Simulate an impact where ever you want and see the consecuences scrolling down the results.
Do we have ways/plans to prevent the potential hit or is it a "we will see" thing?
There are several plans to avoid it, but it depends of several factors. We can avoid an impact if we know the exact position several Years before the supposed impact, if not, there is nothing we can do.
Childhood fear suddenly resurfaced.
Watch Don't Look Up. It's about an asteroid heading for earth in our current political climate