Are we prepared for the next major asteroid impact?
While most space debris passing near Earth is harmless, certain Near Earth Objects (NEOs) pose a genuine threat to our survival. This video explores the nature of these celestial bodies and the scientific efforts to protect our planet.
ESO astronomer Olivier Hainaut examines the origins and characteristics of Near Earth Objects, those bodies in our Solar System with orbits that bring them close to Earth. While many daily collisions are too small to notice, larger events—such as the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor or the asteroid impact that caused the dinosaur extinction—demonstrate the potential for devastation.
The presentation details how astronomers use tools like the Very Large Telescope (VLT) to study these threats and discusses the ongoing work by scientists and engineers to develop planetary defense strategies against extraterrestrial collisions.
Source: ESOcast 168: NEOs — Near Earth Objects
