Asteroid 2024 ON Narrowly Misses Earth

Recently, NASA warned about a colossal 720-foot asteroid, known as 2024 ON, that was expected to approach Earth on September 15. Fortunately, the asteroid veered past without incident. Predictions of catastrophic events often arise in connection with astronomical phenomena, generating considerable excitement. This case was no exception.

Had asteroid 2024 ON collided with Earth, the consequences would have been severe, potentially causing a massive explosion in the atmosphere and a powerful shockwave. Thankfully, the asteroid passed by safely, leaving Earth unharmed.

Despite the relief of the near miss, many online users took to social media with humour-filled disappointment. Platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit were abuzz with memes. Users playfully lamented the asteroid's failure to make an impact, with many jesting about having to resume their everyday routines.

With memes and posts humorously lamenting the asteroid's "betrayal," phrases like "Asteroid ne fir se dhokha de diya" (the asteroid betrayed us again) quickly trended. It seems that even amid cosmic close calls, humour remains Earth's most enduring trait.

Social media remains a hotspot for memes and is likely to continue as such. However, asteroid collisions are more common than many might think. NASA estimates that 48.5 tonnes of meteoric material enter Earth's atmosphere daily, mostly disintegrating into shooting stars. Larger objects, though, are far less frequent. While asteroid collisions are improbable, they are not out of the question.

To mitigate these risks, NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) run programs to detect, classify, and monitor Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). These initiatives are crucial for enhancing preparedness and responding effectively to potential asteroid impacts.