NASA Reveals Odds of Civilization-Ending Asteroid Impact

Image courtesy of NASA shows an artist's concept of a broken-up asteroid. (REUTERS/NASA/JPL-Caltech/Handout)
Image courtesy of NASA shows an artist's concept of a broken-up asteroid. (REUTERS/NASA/JPL-Caltech/Handout)
TT

NASA Reveals Odds of Civilization-Ending Asteroid Impact

Image courtesy of NASA shows an artist's concept of a broken-up asteroid. (REUTERS/NASA/JPL-Caltech/Handout)
Image courtesy of NASA shows an artist's concept of a broken-up asteroid. (REUTERS/NASA/JPL-Caltech/Handout)

NASA has unveiled the probability of a civilization-ending asteroid impact, like the one that killed off the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

According to the Interesting Engineering website, the agency said the odds of a huge asteroid hitting Earth are almost negligible at 0.000001% per year.

A part of its Near Earth Object program, NASA is carrying out research on asteroids that may threaten our planet. Officials from the agency have set a schedule that explains the likelihood of an asteroid impact with Earth for the next 100 years.

Only massive asteroids can cross the Earth atmosphere and remain intact. Any space rock with a diameter of about 10 meters, will be destroyed in the Earth's atmosphere during thermal explosions, the Interesting Engineering reported.

According to NASA, a meteor punched a hole in a parking lot in 1992. Properties in Connecticut and an Alabama were also damaged by falling space rocks in this century. The probability of an asteroid capable of destroying a city striking Earth is 0.1% every year, NASA said.



Tesla Joins Court Challenges to EU Tariffs on Chinese EVs

16 June 2015, Ebringen: The logo of Tesla electric vehicle company is pictured on an S model vehicle. (dpa)
16 June 2015, Ebringen: The logo of Tesla electric vehicle company is pictured on an S model vehicle. (dpa)
TT

Tesla Joins Court Challenges to EU Tariffs on Chinese EVs

16 June 2015, Ebringen: The logo of Tesla electric vehicle company is pictured on an S model vehicle. (dpa)
16 June 2015, Ebringen: The logo of Tesla electric vehicle company is pictured on an S model vehicle. (dpa)

Tesla has joined BMW and Chinese producers in filing a challenge at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) against EU tariffs on China-made electric vehicles, according to a filing on the court's website on Monday.

The challenge will open a new front in Brussels' conflict with Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and ally of US President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, the EU stepped up its probe into Musk's social media platform X over content moderation, Reuters reported.

The EU imposed tariffs on China-made EVs at the end of October after an anti-subsidy investigation. The rate for Tesla was 7.8%, lower than any of its competitors.

The court document showed the US automaker lodged its complaint at the General Court, the lower of two CJEU chambers, last Wednesday, the deadline for filing challenges. Proceedings at the General Court last on average 18 months and can be appealed.

No further details of the cases were given.

BMW, Chinese electric vehicle makers BYD, Geely and SAIC, and auto sector body CCCME have also challenged the EU's import tariffs at the court.