In fact, the source of this kind of science fiction movies is not groundless. 1994, a cosmic event that has never been experienced in human history occurred, that is, comet shoemaker-levy 9 collided with Jupiter. Since then, a large number of space science fiction movies about the earth crisis have been released, and interstellar movies have created a precedent.
As we all know, as early as 65 million years ago, an asteroid hit the earth, making the once "overlord" dinosaur on the earth disappear. In fact, it is not uncommon for meteorites to hit the earth. It happens almost every day. It's just that there is a thick atmosphere outside the earth, and most of the smaller meteorites rub against the air when they pass through the atmosphere, and they are exhausted before they fall to the earth.
Of course, there are also some particularly large meteorites that were not completely consumed when they passed through the atmosphere and fell to the earth. 1908, a meteorite impact occurred in ancient Si Tong, Siberia, destroying 2000 square kilometers of forest. In 2008, a meteorite fell in the desert of Sudan and caused an explosion. If the meteorite falls in the city instead of the desert, the consequences may be unimaginable.
According to scientists' estimation, a meteorite with a diameter of about 10 km is enough to destroy the earth. This kind of destruction is not direct, but a series of reactions caused by collision, such as volcanic eruption, rising sea level, reduction of oxygen on earth, drastic climate change, etc., which lead to a large number of deaths on earth. Just like 65 million years ago, dust and carbon dioxide from volcanoes covered the whole sky. Without sunlight, plants can't carry out photosynthesis. The greenhouse effect caused the earth's temperature to rise, and countless animals and plants became extinct because they could not adapt to the changes in the environment.
1July, 994 16, a comet named "Shoemaker Levi -9" hit Jupiter at a speed of 60 kilometers per second, and the fireball generated by the impact extended nearly 1000 kilometers, emitting dazzling light. When the impact occurred, the electromagnetic wave emitted by Jupiter was nine times as high as usual, and the temperature at the impact site reached tens of thousands of degrees Celsius instantly. Through the astronomical telescope, we can see that "Shoemaker Levi -9" left a wound on the surface of Jupiter with a diameter of more than 1 10,000 kilometers, and the impact trace was even larger than the whole earth. You can imagine that if this comet hits the earth instead of Jupiter. ...
Jupiter is the planet with the largest volume and mass in the solar system. Its mass is 3 18 times that of the earth, and its volume is 132 1 times that of the earth. Through the theory of gravity, we know that the greater the mass, the greater the gravity. Jupiter is more like an umbrella of the earth, attracting the vast majority of all kinds of stars close to the earth and avoiding the disaster of being hit. Therefore, Jupiter also has a nickname, which is called "the vacuum cleaner of the solar system" or "the ancient guardian of the earth".
In recent years, meteorite impacts have occurred all over the world. According to the report of the World Asteroid Steering Symposium, scientists say that the frequency of the earth being hit by space meteorites is underestimated. The researchers hope that through this report, people will believe that meteorites hit more frequently than we thought, and we should put more energy into preventing them before they happen. This seminar is to promote the concept of outpost telescope as a way to reduce risks.
Our earth is located in the livable zone of the solar system, suitable for the birth of life, and there is a huge Jupiter next to it to escort the development of life. Then the question is, in the whole Hubble volume, only the earth gave birth to life! Is this a coincidence or a result that has already been arranged?