Asteroid Bennu, currently on a collision course with Earth in 2182, poses a significant threat to our planet. The estimated size of One World Trade Center, Bennu is considered the highest risk asteroid for impact proximity.
According to scientists, the immediate effects of this collision would be devastating, causing powerful shockwaves and thermal radiation around the impact site. However, long-term consequences would be far-reaching, affecting global food production and climate change.
Using supercomputer models, researchers found that massive dust clouds could cool global temperatures by up to 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce rainfall by approximately 15%. The solar dimming due to this dust could cause an abrupt “impact winter” with reduced sunlight, cold temperatures, and decreased precipitation at the surface.
This would lead to a significant reduction in plant photosynthesis, threatening global food security, and potentially lasting for more than four years after the initial impact. Additionally, the ozone layer would be depleted, further exacerbating climate change issues.
While the likelihood of this event is low, with only a 1 in 2,700 chance of Bennu hitting Earth in 2182, scientists are still working to better understand the asteroid and its potential risks.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/heres-what-could-happen-if-asteroid-bennu-smashes-into-earth-in-157-years