Asteroid Bennu, a medium-sized object about 0.5 miles wide at its equator, has been ranked third on the Sentry list of potential future Earth impact events. According to new modeling by scientists, if it were to strike Earth on September 24, 2182, it could trigger a chain of catastrophic effects, including a global winter and drought.
The asteroid’s chance of impact is small, at just 1-in-2700, but its size and potential for disruption would significantly affect the planet’s atmospheric and ecological balance. Researchers have used advanced models to simulate the aftermath of such an impact, predicting that it could lead to a drop in ozone levels, global temperature drops, and reduced rainfall.
In the worst-case scenario, 400 million tons of dust and debris could be injected into the atmosphere, triggering an “impact winter” with devastating effects on food production, ecosystems, and human populations. The study’s authors suggest that asteroid impacts have shaped Earth’s history, potentially influencing human evolution and genetic makeup.
Interestingly, Bennu is believed to contain ingredients for life, including 14 of the 20 amino acids used by living organisms to make proteins. The asteroid has been extensively studied, with NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission returning samples in 2020, which revealed a mix of organic compounds that could have played a role in the origins of life on Earth.
As scientists continue to monitor Bennu and other potentially hazardous asteroids, researchers like Lan Dai are working to better understand the risks and consequences of asteroid impacts, shedding light on our planet’s history and its potential for future disruptions.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/02/05/nasas-asteroid-bennu-could-cause-a-global-catastrophe-scientists-say