Speaker
Description
Near-earth objects pose a significant threat to humanity, potentially impacting a profound disruption beyond our imagination. Like volcanoes, NEO also played a significant role in shaping the surface of our planet. Whether they explode above the ground or reach the surface, NEO impacts have done significant damage. In 2013, an asteroid about 18 m in diameter called Chelyabinsk exploded while still in the air and released about 500 kilotones of energy. Though the impact didn’t cause much damage, but made us think again about our planetary defence mechanisms and also challenged our understanding of the asteroids. Where we put an asteroid around 140 m as the potential hazardous object (PHO) Chelyabinsk impact proves otherwise.
With this research, we analyse our understanding of asteroids and their classification, identifying the possible threat and likelihood of impact alongside the consequences of impact while providing references from case studies of previous impacts. We studied impact effects, like physical damage, environmental effects, and social and economic effects. With the help of hypothetical scenarios, we have calculated the probability of asteroid impact and factors influencing these probabilities.
With this in consideration, we also develop post-impact assessment and recovery Strategies. We used previous impact post-recovery case studies to analyse the scenario and designed our strategies for post-impact recovery. We assess the extent of damage on both social and economic fronts. We included strategies for rebuilding infrastructure and restoration services. While developed nations hold resources to assess the risk and develop technology to reduce the impact and recover from post-impact damage, developing or underdeveloped nations will be at major risk. To deal with these, we also examine the role of international corporations in the asteroid impact risk assessment and collective efforts to provide support to affected areas. We also discussed the need for international policies and governance frameworks to address asteroid impact risk. With this in mind, we can analyse the risk, reduce the impact damage, and recover with minimum damage post-impact