How dangerous are asteroids to planet Earth?

Asteroids can pose a potential danger to Earth if they collide with our planet; while most asteroids are small and do not pose a significant threat, some asteroids are large enough to cause significant damage or even mass extinction events if they collide with Earth.

Fortunately, the likelihood of a large asteroid hitting Earth is relatively low. According to NASA, the probability of a 1 km or larger asteroid hitting Earth in the next century is about 1 in 500,000. However, smaller asteroids can still cause significant damage, and it is important for scientists and astronomers to track asteroids and assess their potential impact on Earth.

If an asteroid is detected that is on a collision course with Earth, there are several strategies that could be used to mitigate the threat. These include deflecting the asteroid using a spacecraft, altering its orbit using a gravitational tractor, or using a nuclear explosion to break the asteroid into smaller pieces.

Overall, while the risk of an asteroid hitting Earth is low, it is important to be aware of the potential danger and to take steps to mitigate it.