Asteroid Bennu: What the Empire State-sized asteroid can do to Earth if it hits it in 2182

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

Bennu Impact

[{"selector":"#anim-8a1aaa79-152d-4ea2-8bc1-834b0bf1818c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(38.70967734317975%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Bennu, an asteroid the size of the Empire State Building, has a 1-in-2700 chance of hitting Earth in 2182. Representative pic

Collision Odds

[{"selector":"#anim-bb504210-8769-40e5-838f-ef43924d2de7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.52146906429886%, 12.580645044619391%) scale(1.4)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Bennu’s impact probability is low, but its devastating potential keeps researchers vigilant about its trajectory. Representative pic

Dust Fallout

A Bennu collision could inject millions of tons of dust into the atmosphere, cooling Earth for years. Representative pic

Climate Shift

[{"selector":"#anim-f8c9d2d0-ebdb-46c1-a6ed-457565ac8103 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(22.026209507520093%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] A Bennu-type impact could cool Earth by 39°F and disrupt rainfall by 15%, sparking global crises. Representative pic

Marine Boost

[{"selector":"#anim-970c2ef4-0f20-436a-a427-543dc8118a83 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.297728877886016%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Iron from Bennu’s debris could fertilize oceans, triggering algae blooms and rapid plankton recovery. Representative pic

Food Collapse

[{"selector":"#anim-23875842-903a-479b-9d18-37b29b3d7914 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.843749786673241%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] A Bennu strike would disrupt global food chains, reducing photosynthesis and threatening food security. Representative pic

Ocean Rebound

[{"selector":"#anim-3551ce24-97d3-4895-b531-f2f3b52388bb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.632852080942508%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Unlike land plants, ocean ecosystems could bounce back faster after a Bennu-like collision.

Iron Enrichment

Bennu’s iron-rich dust could enrich nutrient-poor oceans, spurring unexpected marine ecosystem growth. Representative pic/NASA

Future Preparedness

[{"selector":"#anim-ce640756-f643-44ef-b73c-170451b50d44 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.86290312016173%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Studying Bennu helps scientists simulate impacts and prepare for potential planetary-scale crises.

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