Threats to Earth from meteors, meteorites, and asteroids

Objects in Space

Many objects move around in space that proves to be a threat to the planet earth and its components. There is a chance of collision in relation to the number of objects in the space thus the need to adopt and implement preventive or tracking measures towards minimization of the effects. One of the effects of the collision of the numerous objects moving in the space is death of the humanities in extreme circumstances. Luckily, for the development of human beings, space is empty. It is also essential to note there is critical information or knowledge on the locations of the large objects in the space. This makes the chances of DS1 hitting any object accidentally to be very slim. Despite this essence, there are small objects in the space that eludes the knowledge the humanity in relation to the exact location. This makes DS1 to be a possible outcome of the collision. The DS1 systems are very fragile thus are applicable in the vacuum of deep space hence elimination of contact with any object. It is also essential to note that DS1 systems are experimental thus no idea on how they would fall.

What objects?

Various objects would prove to be dangerous to the development and growth of humanity. In the execution of this research exercise, the focus will be on the meteors/meteorites and asteroids with reference to the examination of the potential influences or implications to the human beings.

Meteors/meteorites

A meteor refers to the bright streak of light in the sky (in the form of a shooting or falling star). The cause of the meteors is the entry of the small meteoroids within the context of the earth's atmosphere. These objects are visible in dark clear skies. Very bright meteors are known as fireballs thus the need report such cases whenever they occur. Meteorites refer to the bits of the solar system hitting the planet earth. Most of them emanate from asteroids, comets, and Vesta. According to the scientific examination, it is essential to note that few cases indicate lunar systems and Martian with reference to meteorites. Only large meteorites have the capacity of reaching the earth. The largest case of meteorite to have been found on the planet was Hoba in Namibia (approximately 60 tons). It is essential to note that asteroids have no atmosphere despite the fact that most of them are large enough to initiate and sustain gravitational pull. Asteroids have massive information in relation to the formation of the solar system approximately 4.6 billion years ago. It is essential to note that a meteor is a form of asteroid that burns or vaporizes following the entry into the earth's atmosphere.

Asteroids

An asteroid refers to a rocky object within the space, slightly smaller than the planets (O'Brien et al. p. 44). In other cases, they are called small planets or planetoids in accordance with NASA. They are space debris resulting from the leftovers of the fragmentation during the formation of the solar system. There are millions of asteroids moving around the sun. Approximately 750,000 of asteroids found within the asteroid belt between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars. There is a possibility of asteroids being larger than hundreds of kilometres wide (O'Brien et al. p. 45). For instance, there is the essence of asteroid Ceres. Sometimes, this asteroid is known as a dwarf planet. It is approximately 940 km or 584 miles in width.

Why should we be concerned?

Effect in the future

The fireball in the case of Russia in 2012 was an indication of the need for the earth to adopt and implement various precautions for protection against objects within the space that pass the planet on a frequent basis. It is essential to note that space objects will be bigger/larger thus the development of the capacity to cause considerable damage in case of a strike of the planet earth. The eventual outcome of such strikes, like in the past, would include transformation of the life forms of the planet. There will be a devastation of the majority of the components of the planet. It is also essential to note that Jupiter implication raises the essence of future asteroid strikes thus the need for the earth to adopt and implement effective and efficient approaches towards minimization of the influence or impacts of the strike. The strike of Jupiter by a comet/asteroid raises the chances of the earth being hit by an object in the space. The bruises of Jupiter have faded away but it is vital to focus on the protection of the planet for the safety of humanity, plants, and animals to minimize the essence of implications like in the previous encounters.

What can we do?

The main objective of the scientists should be protection of the planet against accidental strikes by the objects in the space. This is through integration of technology and other resources in enhancing security and safety of the planet earth and its components. There are two critical approaches towards minimization of the threats and impacts of the accidental strikes of the earth by objects in the space: tracking & prevention.

Tracking

NASA focuses on the implementation of technology in the tracking of the objects in the space with the aim of minimizing the damage or implications like in the past encounters. This is vital for the enhancement of the security of the humanities, plants, and animals within the planet earth. NASA places critical emphasis on tracking of the asteroids and protecting the planet earth against the strike of the objects in the space. This is through implementation of flyby to offer unique opportunity for the researchers to examine or study any near-earth object closely (Asteroid Detectives p. 5).

Prevention

Identification of the near-earth objects is the first approach towards prevention of the strike or collision. The next step following identification is collection of valuable information on the object through application of ground based and space telescopes. Following the collection of information on the size, mass, and composition, there is an analysis of the data on the earth with the aim of developing an appropriate prevention approach. There are difficulties in the prevention of the strike of the planet earth by large objects in the space (Asteroid Fly-By p. 4). One of the essential methods is the implementation of nuclear bomb thus diverting the objects from the course. This is through detonating a nuclear weapon thus knocking the object off its course. Another method entails attaching of a rocket motor on the object in the space with the aim of diverting its course. Early detection plays critical role in the effectiveness and efficiency of this method of prevention in diverting the course of an object against striking the planet earth. Another method of prevention of the strike following its identification is breaking of the object by NASA into smaller objects. This is effective in the achievement of two objectives: burning of the objects on the planet and diverting the course of the objects away from striking the planet. Another preventive measure is the application of solar power to divert the course of object against striking the planet. This is through exerting pressure on the near-earth object thus diverting its course (Simonov et al. p. 583).

Conclusion

Near-earth objects are very delicate towards the development and growth of the planet earth. This is because of the past and future/projected effects or implications of the strike of the planet by the large objects. It is ideal for the planet to focus on the protection against strikes. This is vital towards minimization of the implications like in the previous encounters. NASA has the opportunity to adopt and implement tracking devices or technology in the monitoring of the orbiting of the objects within the space. This is vital in the implementation of various preventive measures with the aim of diverting the course of near-earth objects.