Collision Extinction Event: Asteroid-1950-DA
Brace yourself! The Asteroid-1950-DA has a 0.3{154653b9ea5f83bbbf00f55de12e21cba2da5b4b158a426ee0e27ae0c1b44117} chance to hit Earth some 800 years from now in 2880. The good news, however, is that it’s more likely to miss the globe and keep wandering through the inter-galactic space. 
Collision Damage
A collision could be a major calamity that would affect all life on Earth. Though the asteroid has a diameter of only 1 km (0.6 miles), its speed is what makes it so powerful. At a speed of 38 MILES/SECOND it’s going substantially faster than the fastest rifle bullet. Though its mass is unknown at this time, its potential collision with Earth would likely create an impact crater many miles across and tremendous global cooling as the result of the ensuing atmospheric dust if it were to hit land. If it were to land in an ocean it would certainly cause an enormous tsunami causing severe damage and loss of life all around the ocean’s shore.
Needless to say neither prospect would be desirable.
Past Evidence
There is plenty evidence of past collisions with asteroids and other inter-stellar objects on Earth. For example, the Earth was hit by a large-sized hunk some 70 million years ago, at the Cretaceous—Paleogene (K—Pg) boundary, also referred to as the “K-Pg extinction event.” It wiped out many species then on Earth including all non-avian dinosaurs.
On Earth craters from past meteorite and asteroid impacts are largely obscured by subsequent erosion. On other planets and our Moon their craters are still quite obvious millions of years later and some even to the naked eye. Because there is no water on the Moon, nor any atmosphere, there also is no erosion and the impact craters are as visible now as they were millions of years ago. So, let’s get back to the future.
The Future
If you plan to live for another 800+ years you may need to take precautions about the 1950-DA’s current trajectory, at least for your own longevity. However, if that is not a problem for you then consider living in the present and concentrate on surviving more current threats to your longevity. The best option includes a healthy lifestyle all around and no worry about any asteroid, whether on a hit-trajectory a few hundred years from now or not.
In any event, enjoy life—and eat your veggies.
Dr. Klaus L.E. Kaiser Bio
Dr. Klaus L.E. Kaiser Most recent columns
Dr. Klaus L.E. Kaiser is author of CONVENIENT MYTHS, the green revolution – perceptions, politics, and facts convenientmyths.com
Dr. Kaiser can be reached at:[email protected]
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