The 4.5 Billion Asteroid Land On Earth

Tonight, an ancient celestial object that has been in existence for 4.5 billion years is preparing to make its return to Earth. The spacecraft that you observe is transporting a collection of rocks and particles obtained from an asteroid called Bennu. It is approaching the Earth's atmosphere at a remarkable speed, 36 times faster than the speed of sound.

The sample will be deposited in this barren area of the Utah desert. This is significant because Bennu, as a whole, is an asteroid equivalent in size to the Empire State Building. There exists a genuine possibility of a collision with Earth in 159 years. Should this occur, the impact would resemble the force of 22 atomic bombs.

Consequently, NASA is optimistic that the acquired sample will aid in the exploration of methods to avert such an impact and gain further insights into the nature of asteroids. Presently, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, the director of the Hayden Planetarium, joins us for an in-depth discussion.

The individual who hosts StarTalk has recently completed authoring his most recent publication, titled "To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery." Consequently, Neil, it is evident that I thoroughly enjoy all of our discussions. Let us now delve into the topic of this remarkable asteroid, which possesses an immense amount of mass.

Scientists can derive valuable insights from this 4.5 billion-year-old rock that is about to arrive in Utah. It belongs to Robert, who discovered and transported it to his residence.The structural integrity of asteroids has been a subject of uncertainty, despite the expectation that we would have this knowledge. It is only in recent decades that we have made advancements in understanding this aspect.

Certain objects could potentially appear to be solid structures, when in reality, they are mere collections of debris. Conversely, some objects may be loosely assembled. This distinction holds significance because in the event of an approaching asteroid, it becomes crucial to determine the object's composition in order to effectively deflect it.When you apply pressure to one section, it lacks sufficient strength to remain intact. As a result, there is a risk of fracturing a fragment, leading to the failure of your objective.

Through the process of sample return, we can gain insights into the composition of Bennu. It is worth noting the success of this endeavor and acknowledging the impressive feat of launching OSIRIS-REx from a moving platform seven years ago. This mission involved intersecting Earth with a moving target, specifically the asteroid Bennu. The spacecraft performed a touch and go maneuver to collect material, returned to Earth, deployed the capsule, and continues its journey to explore additional asteroids.

People are expressing skepticism towards science and its credibility. Do they truly comprehend the remarkable achievements and advancements it has brought? Additionally, we often struggle with basic issues here on Earth. So, if Bennu were to collide with our planet, let's consider the magnitude of such an event. It would be equivalent to 22 times the size of 22 atomic bombs. To ensure accuracy, I want to emphasize the importance of repeating this information precisely.

The potential impact of such an event on Earth is not at an extinction level. It can be considered as a significant threat to a city, but we would have ample time to anticipate and prepare for it. As we approach the year 2182, these odds will either decrease to zero or increase to certainty. There will be no lingering uncertainty. This is a crucial point to understand. If we determine that the impact is inevitable, we still won't know the exact location of impact. If it were to strike a city, it would result in complete destruction. However, it's important to note that the majority of Earth's surface is not urbanized and remains unoccupied.

If the object were to reach the ocean, there is a legitimate concern of triggering a tsunami that would devastate an entire coastline. Otherwise, it would still result in the destruction of an area equivalent to that of a county. That is essentially the main issue at hand. With regards to your new book, it is my hope that it garners widespread readership. Your exploration of topics such as parallel dimensions, alternate realities, black holes, wormholes, and time travel has generated a significant amount of interest among the public. One subject that has been the subject of much discussion lately, even by NASA, is the existence of unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

Congress is conducting a hearing regarding UFOs, sparking a more serious discussion on the topic of extraterrestrial life. This stands in contrast to the past, where such discussions were often relegated to tabloid headlines, like those found in the National Enquirer. As an example, a Mexican journalist recently presented two alleged non-human beings to the Mexican Congress. These beings were depicted with three-fingered hands and elongated heads. However, it is important to approach the accompanying video with caution, as it has received significant mockery.

NASA has recently appointed a director of research dedicated to UFOs, signifying a significant shift in their approach towards this subject. This development brings to mind the resemblance between these unidentified objects and the iconic character E.T. In my opinion, the actions taken by Mexico are commendable. They presented alleged extraterrestrial bodies before their Congress, allowing for public viewing instead of concealing them away. Although this is a positive step, it is crucial to remember that in the scientific realm, the establishment of a new truth requires multiple laboratories to analyze and validate any claims made.

After retrieving rocks from the moon, we distributed them to laboratories worldwide, allowing everyone to partake in this significant discovery. In doing so, I presented samples to other researchers, inviting skepticism and verification from various labs. This rigorous process ensured that the findings were thoroughly examined and either confirmed or disproven before proceeding. How did you react when you first saw the images? I was taken aback by their resemblance to humans. Considering they originated from another planet, it was surprising to see features like two eyes, a nose, a mouth, shoulders, hips, and a femur. This similarity raises questions about the shared DNA between most life forms on Earth and ourselves.

The appearance is completely different from ours. Therefore, it is implausible for it to resemble anyone. Therefore, this was my initial impression. Secondly, if there were any deceased bodies or preserved remains. There are no bones in the nasal cavity, as it is an open passage to the skull. These extraterrestrials possess intact nasal features. Alright. Assuming that is indeed their nasal structure. Alright. Certainly. And so? Well, this is peculiar. Even after 2000 years, to still possess a nose with two cavities. This is unusual, but they should possess it in common. This is how we determine what is factual and what is not. Alright. Neil, I appreciate your time. It was great speaking with you. Thank you for having me.