A clear warning has been issued by ISRO Chief S Somnath, who cited past impacts and the possible destruction asteroid strikes could bring to Earth. The tragic Tunguska incident on June 30, 1908, serves as a sobering reminder of asteroids' devastating potential. Over the Tunguska Forest in Siberia, an asteroid or comet detonated in Earth's atmosphere, causing a 12-megaton explosion that destroyed 80 million trees over 2,150 square kilometres. The heat and shockwave from the impact travelled kilometres.
A clear warning has been issued by ISRO Chief S Somnath, who cited past impacts and the possible destruction asteroid strikes could bring to Earth. The tragic Tunguska incident on June 30, 1908, serves as a sobering reminder of asteroids' devastating potential. Over the Tunguska Forest in Siberia, an asteroid or comet detonated in Earth's atmosphere, causing a 12-megaton explosion that destroyed 80 million trees over 2,150 square kilometres. The heat and shockwave from the impact travelled kilometres.
The 370-meter-diameter near-Earth asteroid Apophis is currently the centre of attention for astronomers. Apophis is predicted to come within decades of Earth, with encounters anticipated on April 13, 2029, and again in 2036. Somnath emphasised that an impact by an asteroid could wipe out life as we know it and cause global destruction.
He said,"In our lifetimes of 70 to 80 years, we might not see such a tragedy, which is why we do not take it so seriously. In the history of the world and the universe, the approach of asteroids to planets and their influence are frequent occurrences. I have seen comet Shoemaker Levy hit Jupiter. If such an event were to happen on Earth, we would all be extinct."
He added, "These are real possibilities. We need to prepare ourselves. This should not happen to our Earth. The human race and all living beings must survive here. We may not be able to stop an asteroid impact, but alternative means should be adopted. There is a way to deflect asteroids. Earth-threatening objects should be identified and diverted. Sometimes these efforts may fail, so technology must evolve. We need to acquire prognostic skills and develop the ability to launch heavy instruments into space to deflect asteroids. Monitoring should be improved. Countries should work together on this," as per reports.
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 "'We would all be...: ISRO chief issues eerie warning for humans and it's related to..")
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