Asteroid Impact Risk: Impact Hazard from Asteroids and Comets

This  book describes the complexity of impact hazards associated with  asteroids and comets. The challenge in this regard lies in the  heterogeneous nature of these bodies that endanger our planet, which is  why we are conducting new experiments to better understand their unique  physicochemical properties. Several generations of astronomers have  tracked and mapped the orbits of asteroids and comets over the past few  centuries, and telescopic surveys have only begun to discover “new”  interstellar objects. In addition, cutting-edge software allow our  computers to combine the orbits of these elusive bodies to study how  they evolve over time and seek to match asteroid complexes as fragments  of asteroidal and cometary disruptions.

Impact hazards represent  one of the greatest threats to the survival of human beings in the  medium term. Geological studies show that the stratigraphic record holds  clear geological evidence of these rare but transcendental encounters  in the history of life on our planet. The study and quantification of  past catastrophes can give us clues to face future challenges in the  form of potential impacts.

Further, it would be illogical to  assume that Earth’s interaction with space is limited to major impacts.  Every night, Earth is struck by millions of particles, and dozens of  meteor showers occur around the globe every year. The study of lake and  ocean sediments reveals the magnitude of the continuous contribution of  interplanetary matter reaching Earth: roughly 100,000 tons per year.

Accordingly,  the goal of this book is to underscore the need for society-wide  awareness of the dangers associated with asteroid and comet impacts, on  the basis of scientific evidence and with no intention of sparking  alarmism. After all, we ourselves may only be the fruit of an  opportunity given to mammals sixty-five million years ago to evolve  after the conflagration that would be the downfall of the dinosaurs. If  we have learned to read Earth’s geological history, we should consider  ourselves a very fortunate species, and its teachings should equip us to  face this problem.

The also book emphasizes the role of space  missions to gain insights on these bodies, particularly describing the  relevance of the DART (NASA) and Hera (ESA) missions to deflect and  study Dimorphos, respectively, the small satellite of the Didymos binary  asteroid .