Twelve months have elapsed since we bid farewell to 2019, exclaiming ‘Happy New Year’ with unrestrained enthusiasm. At that moment, we were blissfully oblivious to the tumultuous events destined to unfold in the ensuing days.
For individuals who endured the loss of their livelihoods, their health, or most devastatingly, their cherished loved ones, no ephemeral silver lining can possibly assuage the profound sorrow inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nor can it compensate for the extensive devastation wrought by this year’s exceptionally severe wildfires and hurricanes.
A portion of the global population experienced a comparatively more fortunate year. Aside from minor inconveniences, such as the necessity to moderate toilet paper consumption or the peculiar ritual of donning trousers for virtual meetings, 2020 was characterized more by strangeness than by despair. Indeed, the circumstances could have been significantly more dire.
To what extent could they have been worse? We can perhaps find solace in the fact that …
Yellowstone’s Supervolcano Remained Dormant
Approximately 640,000 years ago, an immense subterranean bubble of magma and superheated gases erupted with cataclysmic force, expelling over a thousand cubic kilometers (roughly 240 cubic miles) of rock, soil, and trees into the atmosphere, profoundly altering the continental landscape.
The same geological formation, now recognized as the Yellowstone caldera in North America, is theoretically past its expected eruption cycle.
Nevertheless, every subtle seismic tremor and geological shift within the national park’s boundaries has fueled speculation that another major event might be imminent.
In June of this year, a series of a dozen earthquakes struck the region in rapid succession. Furthermore, in October, the reliably active geyser known as Old Faithful experienced an uncharacteristic cessation of its regular eruptions, falling remarkably silent.
It would not have been surprising to many if Yellowstone had chosen 2020 as the year for its monumental eruption.
However, the majority of the world’s volcanologists would likely disagree. Scientific research indicates that, if anything, the Yellowstone supervolcano exhibited considerably greater activity in the distant past, suggesting a need to recalibrate our assumptions regarding its future eruptive timeline.
Regardless of when that future eruption may occur, 2020 was not that year.
An Asteroid Did Not Impact Earth
Earlier in the year, a celestial body identified as 2018VP1 garnered considerable attention due to its calculated 1 in 240 probability of colliding with Earth on the same day as the US presidential election.
Measuring a mere 2 meters (approximately 7 feet) in diameter, 2018VP1 falls significantly short of the 140-meter (460-foot) threshold that NASA designates as the minimum size for asteroids posing a substantial threat. It is comparable to a pebble when contrasted with the 10-kilometer behemoth responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs, an event that tragically occurred in a particularly catastrophic manner.
Nevertheless, any rapidly moving celestial object entering within 5,000 kilometers of our planet warrants careful consideration of the potential hazards posed by near-Earth asteroids.
On November 13th – incidentally, a Friday – the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) managed by the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii issued an alert to astronomers regarding the passage of an object roughly the size of a small dwelling.
Passing at an altitude of just 400 kilometers above the Pacific Ocean, this observation established a new record for the closest asteroid flyby. Compounding the situation, its proximity to the sun’s intense glare rendered it undetectable until mere hours after it had already safely traversed our vicinity.
It is important to note that the potential consequences of its impact would not have been catastrophic. The asteroid’s size was not substantially greater than that of the Chelyabinsk meteor, which famously detonated over Russia in 2013.
However, this near-miss serves as a stark reminder that under certain conditions, we could be vulnerable to an undetected cosmic threat. And if an asteroid were to be the cause of our regression to a primitive state, 2020 would have seemed a plausible year, wouldn’t it?
It is with considerable relief that we can confirm no asteroids of significant concern impacted Earth this year. A cause for celebration!
We Were Not Incinerated by Solar Radiation
Betelgeuse, a red giant star situated over 600 light-years away, is a celestial entity many eagerly anticipate witnessing its demise, as the resultant celestial spectacle would be truly magnificent.
Earlier this year, there was a surge of excitement as the star exhibited a noticeable dimming, interpreted by many as an ominous precursor. This phenomenon recurred in August. Were these early indicators of its impending final moments?
Contrary to initial speculation, it was determined that in at least one instance, the dimming was likely attributable to an intervening veil of cosmic dust – an event akin to a cloud obscuring the sun on a frigid winter’s day.
Subsequent analysis revealed that Betelgeuse is likely younger than initially estimated, suggesting its supernova event is still a considerable distance in the future. Consequently, our attention shifted toward other pressing global concerns. Even if Betelgeuse were to explode, its current distance from Earth would preclude any significant harm.
However, if the star were situated considerably closer, for instance, merely 65 light-years away, its eventual demise could potentially strip our planet of its protective ozone layer, leaving us vulnerable to harmful radiation.
Indeed, our own sun’s periodic eruptions of energetic charged particles present a more immediate concern. Fortunately, we are protected by a robust magnetic field… which remains fully operational, does it not?
This year fortuitously marks the commencement of the sun’s 25th solar cycle. A cause for tentative optimism! We are currently experiencing a lull in its activity, a phase that is not particularly unusual. Such periods of diminished solar intensity occur approximately every 11 years.
Extraterrestrial Invasion Did Not Occur
Do you recall the remarkable visit of an astonishingly swift asteroid to our Solar System in 2017?
We must still meticulously verify the spelling of ‘Oumuamua each time, but as it represented the first confirmed object originating from beyond our Solar System, the term ‘aliens’ was inevitably invoked. Considering its unusual shape and reddish hue, it seemed destined for a sensationalized documentary.
Therefore, to our profound and utter astonishment, it was ultimately determined not to be extraterrestrial in origin. A surprising revelation.
Fear not; late last year, we welcomed a second confirmed interstellar visitor in the form of a comet designated 2I/Borisov, rekindling our speculative hopes.
Astronomers have maintained vigilant observation of this comet throughout 2020, acquiring a wealth of information concerning its characteristics. This diligent monitoring proved fortunate. Given the widespread turmoil Earth has experienced this year, our planet might have been susceptible to an extraterrestrial takeover. No doubt such invaders would have come equipped with their own protective masks.
Hordes of the Undead Did Not Emerge from Their Graves
It is a rare occurrence for archaeologists to unearth intact Egyptian tombs containing hermetically sealed sarcophagi that have remained undisturbed for centuries, let alone millennia. However, when such discoveries are made, they are met with great anticipation.
The insights contained within these artifacts can illuminate not only the physical appearance of our ancient forebears but also provide clues about their vocalizations, their lifestyles, and the circumstances of their demise.
But this is 2020. Consequently, as sealed coffins continued to be unearthed throughout the year, we harbored a collective expectation that this might signal the apocalypse; a terrifying resurgence of desiccated corpses brandishing their ancient wrappings menacingly as they swarmed the streets, did we not?
With the conclusion of 2020, we can now confidently assert that the emergence of vast legions of the undead is highly improbable, and any revelations derived from Egyptian sepulchers will ultimately contribute to the advancement of human knowledge.
However, to err on the side of caution, let us refrain from opening any tombs during the month of January. Just to be on the safe side.
