"Nasa's Plan to Alert Public of Imminent Asteroid Impact"

Earth faces the potential threat of asteroid impacts, with smaller ones hitting every few years and larger ones striking every 10 million years. The International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center tracks near-Earth objects (NEOs) and is set to receive a boost in detection capabilities with the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory. To defend against potential threats, early detection is crucial, and strategies such as nudging asteroids out of their orbits or using a "gravity tractor" to alter their paths are being explored. Vigilant sky monitoring and proactive measures are essential in preventing a catastrophic asteroid impact.