It seems likely that when humans do go extinct, we’ll go the way of the dodo bird (habitat loss), but a much scarier and more dramatic end to the human experiment would be to go the way of the dinosaur (asteroid). But it might not be as far-fetched as you might think.


Advertisement


As we speak, a comet (composed of gas and dust) bigger than Mount Everest is hurtling toward Earth at 40,000 miles per hour, called the ‘Devil's Comet.’ Named for the icy volcanic activity that gives the comet a distinctive double-horned trail, the 10.5-mile wide block is three times the size of the asteroid that took out the dinosaurs. But fortunately, there’s nothing to worry about.



Scientifically labeled “12P/Pons-Brooks,” the comet is in the middle of its 71-year orbit around the Sun, and won’t come anywhere near Earth (sorry). Although the unique-looking ice ball will be visible in the night sky around June of 2024 when it’s at its nearest, it will never come closer to our planet than we are to the Sun.


It looks like we can go back to worrying more about going the way of the dodo bird for the time being.