In the celestial ballet of space, a “lost asteroid” has emerged as a cause for concern among scientists, with potential implications of an Earth-bound collision this year. Named 2007 FT3, this asteroid was initially discovered by astronomers in 2007, only to vanish within a day or so of its identification, leaving astronomers puzzled and raising questions about its trajectory.
NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has been diligently working to track and monitor 2007 FT3, alongside the 32,000 other near-Earth asteroids already identified. Recent revelations from experts suggest that this elusive asteroid could potentially collide with Earth in 2024.
While the asteroid’s exact path remains uncertain due to its mysterious disappearance from observations, NASA officials estimate a roughly 1 in 11.5 million chance of it crashing into Earth in October of this year. If such an impact were to occur, the asteroid, detonating with a force equivalent to 2.6 billion tons of TNT, would cause significant damage at its impact site, sending shockwaves throughout the affected region.
Although the prospect of an unseen asteroid hurtling toward Earth may evoke concern, this is not the first time such worries have surfaced. Despite the discovery and monitoring of over 30,000 near-Earth asteroids, NASA and other space agencies acknowledge the possibility of large, undiscovered celestial bodies within the Sun’s glare.
In response to potential threats, space agencies are leveraging advanced technologies, exemplified by NASA’s successful DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission conducted last year, to develop strategies for mitigating the risk of asteroids colliding with Earth.
NASA remains uncertain about what transpired with the lost asteroid, but emphasizes that there are currently no known asteroid impact threats to Earth within the next century. The agency, along with its partners, maintains a vigilant watch over the skies, actively searching for, tracking, and categorizing asteroids and near-Earth objects (NEOs) to ensure the safety of our planet.
While the chances of a collision with 2007 FT3 are considered remote, NASA’s commitment to continued surveillance underscores the importance of remaining vigilant in our exploration of the cosmos.
