Asteroids originating from outer space capable of causing mass extinctions have on average hit Earth at approximately 50 to 60 million year intervals. The dinosaurs were almost certainly killed 66 million years ago by an asteroid striking the modern day Gulf of Mexico. Now an expert has addressed the likelihood another asteroid exists capable of creating an impact that can destroy our entire planet.
Dr Lewis Dartnell, Professor of Science Communication at the University of Westminster, reassured Mashable India no asteroid will destroy the entire world.
He said: “The Earth is not going to be destroyed by an asteroid.
“Alright, so a different question might be, could all life on earth be driven to extinction by asteroids?
“Again the answer would be that no. There’s no asteroid big enough that on collision with the Earth could do that.”
US space agency NASA estimates the current known asteroid count to be 796,751.
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Most of this rocky detritus is found orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter within the main asteroid belt.
These ancient space rocks range in size from Vesta – the largest at 329 miles (530km) in diameter – to bodies less than 33ft (10m) across.
Dr Dartnell added it is highly unlikely asteroid armageddon will occur any time soon.
He said: “If we were very, very unlucky, and they strike over a major city, then they could destroy the city.
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“But, the chances of that happening are very unlikely.”
“Asteroid Apophis is one of the asteroids that we are tracking and we know that it is not going to impact for the next few decades and will continue on trail.”
The asteroid expert has nonetheless conducted much research surrounding rebooting civilisation after an apocalypse event.
And he believes recent generations’ post-apocalypse survival skills have regressed.
He said: “The scenes of how the modern world works- where does all the stuff you take for granted everyday lives – be it the food appearing on the shelves at the shop or electricity or tools we use or the cities we live in … how do they provide us?
“How are they made? How does it come to us?
“Our grandparents had a much closer connection with these things, they understood where this came from and how they’re made.
“I think those skills have been lost in more recent generations.
“We don’t really understand or appreciate where they come from.“
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“How are they made? How does it come to us?
“Our grandparents had a much closer connection with these things, they understood where this came from and how they’re made.
“I think those skills have been lost in more recent generations.
“We don’t really understand or appreciate where they come from.“
