Bernardinelli-Bernstein, a brand-new comet that is ten times bigger than any other comet in recorded history, has been found by scientists. The Oort cloud, a region outside the solar system home to countless asteroids and ice blocks, is where the comet was discovered. The largest comet in recorded human history most likely formed in this region. Currently, 20 astronomical units from the sun, the comet will soon intersect Uranus’ orbit in 2031. The closest it will ever get to Earth will be at a distance of 11 astronomical units from the sun, just beyond Saturn’s orbit.
Concerns about the threats this comet might bring to Earth have been raised since its discovery. If the comet hit our planet, a tremendous explosion would rip pieces of the ground out and launch them into the air. The blast wave would destroy everything within a few hundred miles as it spread in numerous directions, cracking and bending trees. When the blast wave reaches the snow-capped mountains, it will cause massive avalanches that will bury innumerable settlements. Since the tsunami waves would be so large, entire coastal cities would be covered. It is improbable that any living thing on Earth would survive the disastrous effects.
Thoughts are currently being given to measures to safeguard Earth from potentially dangerous asteroids like this one. A possible strategy is to launch a rocket toward the asteroid and cause a controlled explosion above its surface. The asteroid’s trajectory would change. Another approach is to direct a large, heavy object like a spaceship toward the asteroid and point all its lenses to direct sunlight at the enormous rock. As a result, the asteroid would travel lower as the material on its surface evaporated.
The asteroid could also be covered in a reflective material, like foil. This would result in the sun’s light reflecting off the asteroid’s surface rather than being absorbed. This strategy, referred to as the “asteroid tractor technique,” is regarded as sufficiently dependable. It is time-consuming and only effective if we find a potentially dangerous asteroid years before it approaches Earth.
Finally, researchers are thinking of deploying a laser to divert the asteroid. When an asteroid is discovered, a powerful laser beam is directed at it, heating it and altering its trajectory, so it passes by our planet.
The finding of the Bernardinelli-Bernstein comet reminds us of the value of keeping an eye on and researching any threats that asteroids and comets may pose to our planet. We must remain informed and aware of our planet’s potential challenges as scientists continue to explore solutions to safeguard Earth from these potential dangers.
