An Asteroid Whizzed Past Arizona and Struck the Earth This Week

Have you ever wondered what the chances are of Arizona getting hit by an asteroid. I'm not talking about one of those little sky-streakers. I mean, a big one - one that could cause some serious damage?

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What Are the Chances of Arizona Getting Struck By a Big Asteroid?

In the past, Arizona was once hit by a giant, catastrophic asteroid. Just so we're clear, that was way back in the Pleistocene Epoch. We know it colloquially as the Ice Age, which ended about 11,700 years ago.

The good news is that the likelihood of a significant asteroid strike in Arizona (or anywhere on Earth) is pretty low these days.

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NASA tracks Near Earth Objects. // Canva

NASA keeps a close eye on near-Earth objects (NEOs). Did you know they discover thousands every year, but most of them whizz past Earth harmlessly?

For example, asteroids bigger than 330 feet in diameter are predicted to strike Earth about every 10,000 years. So, the odds of a catastrophic impact happening in our lifetime are slim, which is good news.

Arizona Has a History of Asteroid Strikes

But let's not forget that Arizona has a famous history with asteroids. About 50,000 years ago, a massive iron asteroid smashed into what is now northern Arizona, creating the spectacular Meteor Crater.

READ: She Was Shocked to See THIS From Her Arizona Backyard

Meteor Crater in Arizona. // Canva

This spectacular hole in the ground is about three-quarters of a mile across and 600 feet deep. Arizona's famous crater is one of the best-preserved impact sites on Earth, and it's helped us learn a lot about asteroid strikes.

If an impact like the one that caused Meteor Crater hit Arizona today, it could destroy a city the size of Kansas City.

What Are the Chances of an Asteroid Striking Arizona?

While the chances of an impressive, dinosaur-extincting asteroid hitting Arizona are somewhat low, they're not zero.

According to data from the Lunar and Planetary Institute, Arizona is the 5th most likely state in Arizona to be hit by an asteroid of any size, based on recorded data.

What's the possibility Arizona could get hit with an asteroid strike, based on history? // Data via lpi.usra.edu/

@RED_L1n3 posted several videos captured by stunned citizens who watched as the asteroid made itself known in Yakutia, Russia.

Image of the asteroid coming through the atmosphere this week. // Via X User @RED_L1n3. Created with Canva.

The asteroid that hit Russia was interesting but not as dangerous as the type we're talking about. For now, we're safe. But who knows what the future holds!

Sources: NASA Earth Observatory | USA Today | Wikipedia | NASA | Lunar and Planetary Institute

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Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: The states with the most UFO sightings

For each state, we’ve also included details of famous UFO sightings in that state. Of note is that almost three-quarters of all UFO sighting reports in the United States occur between 4 p.m. and midnight, and tend to peak between 9 and 10 p.m. Food for thought next time you're out scoping for alien life. Keep reading to see which states have had the most UFO sightings.

Gallery Credit: Nicole Caldwell & Matt Albasi