Asteroid Launcher tool: What would be the consequence if a mega asteroid hit your home? Find out with this tool
A new web app called Asteroid Launcher allows users to explore the potential impact of an asteroid hitting their hometown or state. Created by programmer Neal Agarwal, the app is purely for entertainment and does not reflect any current threats to Earth. While there are many asteroids that could potentially be hazardous, none are expected to collide with the planet in the near future. NASA has a plan in place to handle any potential asteroid threats, as demonstrated by the agency's successful mission to crash a spacecraft into an asteroid and alter its course in September.
How is an Asteroid Launcher use
To use Asteroid Launcher, follow these steps:
- Visit the Asteroid Launcher website and click on the “Launch Asteroid” button.
- Type in the location you want to simulate an asteroid impact for, or use the map to select a specific location.
- Choose the size of the asteroid you want to simulate, from a small asteroid to a large one.
- Click the “Launch” button to see the simulated impact and its effects on the selected location.
- The app will display information about the impact, including the amount of damage caused, the number of people affected, and which structures and landmarks would be destroyed or damaged.
Note: Asteroid Launcher is a simulated tool and does not reflect any real asteroid threats to Earth. It is meant for fun and educational purposes only.
what is an asteroid with some examples below
An asteroid is a tiny, rocky object that circles or orbits the Sun. Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt, a part of the solar system between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. There are millions of asteroids in the asteroid belt, ranging in size from a few meters to several hundred kilometers in diameter.
Asteroids are believed to be leftovers from the formation of the solar system, and they can provide valuable insights into the early history and evolution of our solar system. Some asteroids are made of metal, while others are composed of rock or a combination of both.
Examples of asteroids include:
- Ceres: The largest asteroid in the solar system and the first one to be discovered. Ceres is correspondingly classed as a dwarf planet.
- Vesta: The second-largest asteroid in the solar system and the brightest one in the sky. Vesta is thought to have a metallic core and a rocky mantle.
- Pallas: The third-largest asteroid in the solar system and the second one to be discovered. Pallas is made up of rock and metal and is thought to have a surface that is covered in ice.
- Hygiea: A small, dark asteroid located in the outer part of the asteroid belt. Hygiea is thought to be a “primitive” asteroid, meaning that it has not undergone much change since it formed.
- Eros: A small asteroid that orbits close to the Sun and has been visited by spacecraft. Eros is thought to be made up of rock and metal and has a surface that is covered in fine dust.