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Russian asteroid threatens Earth astrophysicists. A celestial body with a diameter of 370 meters, which is larger known to scientists of Apophis, will cross the earth’s orbit in three years. Astronomers seriously fear that the collision of the space giant with our planet will have truly terrible consequences. ABOUT the scale of a possible catastrophe “MK” said the astrophysicist, head of the department of non-stationary stars and stellar spectroscopy Institute of Astronomy RAS Nikolai CHUGAY. Scientists about the new heaven body: “If such an asteroid falls to Earth, there will be a real disaster “- Nikolay Nikolaevich, the diameter of the new asteroid is more 300 meters. How dangerous can it be for the earth? – If such a cosmic body will suddenly fall to Earth, there will be a real catastrophe. – Does history know such cases? – Yes. It is believed that the Gulf of Mexico is formed just by an asteroid similar size. It fell to Earth about 50 million years ago. -What were the implications for life on the planet? – Effects were similar to nuclear winter. A huge amount of dust and aerosols. The atmosphere was overcast with dense clouds which reflected sunlight without passing it to the surface land. The temperature on the planet has plummeted. – Is it possible to survive in such conditions? – Judging by historical experience, it is unlikely. In in any case, the dinosaurs became extinct. – How accurate are scientists can track the movement of an asteroid? – All so-called near-Earth asteroids are tracked as accurately as possible. Their orbit well known to scientists. Moreover, it is completely open information. Everyone can get access to it. Just go to NASA website in a special section. – How close are usually asteroids fly up to the earth? – Most often they don’t even fly within lunar orbit is 300 thousand km. from the earth. But even then, these objects are already considered near Earth. Although there was a case a couple of years ago, when the asteroid flew almost close to our planet. is he flew past the Earth at a distance of 50 thousand km. – Are there technologies that can stop a potentially dangerous asteroid? – Unfortunately not. So far no one has come up with such technologies.
Tatyana Antonova
