Earth will be hit by an asteroid that WILL wipe out life… but not for another million years, say boffins
THOUSANDS of asteroids are on a collision course with the Earth - but experts predict we will be safe for the next 1.35million years or so.
Astronomists have analysed around 2,000 giant space rocks which are currently hurtling towards the Earth, predicting the odds of them actually hitting our planet.
And they have concluded that the next really big threat is from the star Gliese 710, which will "severely mess up our solar system" when it comes within just 77 light days from our planet.
But with Gliese 710 not due to reach the Earth for another 1.35million years, boffins think we should be safe until then.
Nasa has revealed an asteroid will fly very close to the Earth on February 25, but there is virtually zero chance it could hit the planet as it will burn up in our atmosphere.
And the 82-ft wide Asteroid 2017 BS32 flew past the Earth on Thursday evening after being spotted by eagle-eyed astronomers who say it's the planet's fourth close shave already in 2017.
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In a new video, experts Real Life Lore said of all the asteroids which have been discovered, more than 1,650 are considered "potentially hazardous" by Nasa - with only 157 larger than 3,000ft in diameter.
An asteroid measuring 500ft in diameter is the most likely to hit Earth, with a one in 625 chance of striking, the video explains.
But it would be more than 160 years before the asteroid hit the planet.
Another asteroid measuring 1,600ft wide has a 1 in 2,700 chance of hitting earth.
And a larger asteroid, measuring 4,200ft in diameter, is the third most likely to hit - but only has a one in 8,333 chance of striking in the year 2880.
When Gliese 710 arrives at Earth in 1.35million years, it is expected to push asteroids from the outer reaches of the solar system towards Earth, having a potentially catastrophic impact.
Giant asteroids over 6.2 miles in size are capable of wiping out life on Earth, but the last one known to hit was 66 million years ago which destroyed 75 per cent of all life, including the dinosaurs.
On average, Earth is hit once a year by elephant-sized asteroids, while bigger asteroids measuring 25ft across hit around every four years.
These are rarely witnessed as they either burn up in the atmosphere or land in the sea.
Larger asteroids which are the size of a six-storey building hit Earth around twice a century.
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