NASA Responds to Claims “Lost” Asteroid Will Hit Earth in 2024

NASA has addressed concerns about a possible asteroid hitting Earth this year. The asteroid in question is called 2007 FT3, and it was first spotted in 2007 but disappeared from sight after only a day.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has looked into the situation and provided information on whether we should worry about this ‘lost’ asteroid causing any harm.

The asteroid, labeled as ‘lost’ because it disappeared from view after its 2007 sighting, had its orbit calculated by astronomers. This assessment aimed to determine if it poses a threat to Earth, and it turns out that it does, as reported by UNILAD.

The ‘lost’ asteroid is on NASA’s Sentry Risk Table

NASA placed it on the Sentry Risk Table, which identifies objects that might collide with Earth. The Center for Near Earth Object Studies at NASA highlighted 89 potential impacts, and one of them is predicted for October 5, 2024 – just over nine months from now.

Moreover, UNILAD also reported that Earth already survived 2007 FT3, when a potential date of its impact came and passed in 2019.

With this impending possibility, the asteroid gained attention, considering the potential for significant regional damage if a strike occurred.

🚀🌌 NASA announces a prediction for a collision with a lost meteorite in 2024. Surprisingly, NASA has managed to lose an asteroid – the asteroid 2007 FT3, initially spotted in 2007 before quickly disappearing. The renowned international space agency revealed the possibility 🧵 pic.twitter.com/Wou182UlUV

— Science Corner (@ScienceDeso) January 2, 2024

A NASA spokesperson has addressed the concerns, shedding light on this celestial threat. In a statement to the Standard, NASA assured that there are no known asteroid impact threats to Earth within the next century.

The spokesperson said that NASA and its partners actively monitor the skies to locate, track, and categorize asteroids and near-Earth objects (NEOs), including those that might come close to Earth, as reported by UNILAD.

It’s important to note that planetary scientists define asteroid approaches within 30 million miles of Earth’s orbit as close approaches. Moreover, the larger the asteroid, the easier it is for our planetary defense experts to detect. This means that the orbits of larger asteroids around the sun are usually well-known and understood for years or even decades, according to NASA’s spokesperson.

Most asteroids are present in the asteroid belt

Asteroids are mostly concentrated in the asteroid belt, a space zone positioned between Mars and Jupiter. However, they aren’t limited to this region and can be found in various parts of our solar system.

Even though the majority reside in the asteroid belt, some asteroids have orbits that bring them closer to Earth. These are termed near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). Scientists examine asteroids to gain insights into the early solar system.

Moreover, missions like NASA’s OSIRIS-REx and Japan’s Hayabusa2 have been launched to study and even collect samples from these space rocks, according to The Standard.