The impact hazard from small asteroids: current problems and open questions

Abstract

The current philosophy of impact hazard considers the danger from small asteroids negligible. However, several facts claim for a revision of this philosophy. In this paper, some of these facts are reviewed and discussed. It is worth noting that while the impact frequency of Tunguska-like objects seems to be higher than previously estimated, the atmospheric fragmentation is more efficient than commonly thought. Indeed, data recorded from airbursts show that small asteroids breakup at dynamical pressures lower than their mechanical strength. This means that theoretical models are inconsistent with observations and new models and data are required in order to understand the phenomena.