Earth, in addition to all planets and moons with rocky surfaces, has skilled numerous collisions from objects of extraterrestrial origin. Any influence that’s huge and energetic sufficient, in precept in addition to in apply, might trigger a mass extinction occasion if we don’t do one thing to mitigate it. (Credit score: James Thew by way of Adobe Inventory)
65 million years in the past, an enormous asteroid struck Earth. Not solely didn’t Jupiter cease it, nevertheless it in all probability prompted the influence itself.
One of many best existential threats to life on Earth is a huge cosmic influence. Whether or not from an asteroid, comet, or interstellar interloper, an…