In a revelation that has stirred the scientific community, a long-lost asteroid known as 2007 FT3, unseen since its discovery in 2007, might be on a collision course with Earth in the coming year. While the chances are relatively small, the prospect of an impact in October 2024 has prompted heightened scrutiny from experts at NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS).
Despite being lost shortly after its initial sighting, efforts to track the elusive asteroid have been ongoing. NASA experts now suggest a roughly 1 in 11.5 million probability of a collision. If this celestial wanderer were to strike Earth, the impact would unleash a force equivalent to 2.6 billion tons of TNT. While not catastrophic on a planetary scale, the consequences could be devastating, causing significant damage at the impact site and sending shockwaves across the globe.
The idea of an unseen asteroid hurtling toward our planet is undoubtedly unsettling. Yet, it is not the first time humanity has faced such a prospect. Despite identifying and monitoring over 30,000 near-Earth asteroids, the existence of undiscovered celestial bodies, obscured by the Sun’s glare, remains a persistent concern for NASA and other space agencies.
Technological advancements, exemplified by NASA’s successful completion of the DART test last year, provide a glimmer of hope. These innovations aim to develop strategies for mitigating the risk of asteroids colliding with Earth. While the fate of the lost asteroid 2007 FT3 remains uncertain, NASA remains steadfast in its commitment to vigilant monitoring and detection, leaving no stone unturned in safeguarding our planet from potential cosmic threats.
