Image description: The Torino Scale is a system for classifying the impact risks of asteroids and comets on Earth. It ranges from 0 (no risk) to 10 (certain collision with catastrophic effects). As shown in this simulated image, the asteroid 2011 MD (top right) passed inside the orbits of the 31 GPS satellites. Its distance from Earth was only 12,300 kilometers. Its trajectory was strongly curved by Earth's gravity and then it continued its journey around the Sun.
The Torino Scale is a tool used by astronomers to assess the impact risks of asteroids and comets on Earth. It was created in 1999 by Professor Richard P. Binzel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is named after the Italian city of Turin, where it was first presented.
This scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no risk or negligible risk, and 10 represents a certain collision with catastrophic global consequences. The scale considers two main factors: the probability of impact and the kinetic energy of the object.
The Torino Scale is divided into four main categories:
Several asteroids have come close to Earth or are expected to do so in the future.
Monitoring Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) is crucial for preventing impact risks. Programs like NASA's Near-Earth Object Program and the Spaceguard Survey continuously track these objects. In the event of a serious threat, space missions could be launched to deflect or destroy the object.
N.B.: The Torino Scale is an important communication tool for informing the public and decision-makers about the potential risks associated with asteroid impacts.
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