Lost Asteroid 2007 FT3 May Hit Earth in 2024, Reports Say
Earth may be facing the potential threat of an asteroid impact in the near future, according to recent reports from various news outlets. The lost asteroid, named 2007 FT3, is believed to have the destructive power of approximately 2.6 billion tons of TNT. NASA has lost track of the asteroid, but it has a chance of colliding with our planet on October 5, 2024.
Discovered in 2007 and listed on NASA’s Sentry Risk Table, 2007 FT3 is categorized as a “lost” asteroid due to disappearing from NASA’s view after being observed for only 1.2 days. Despite this, experts at NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies have identified 89 potential impacts, including one projected for the aforementioned date in 2024.
Concerns about the potential impact have been somewhat alleviated by reassurances from NASA and other observatories. These institutions continuously track the orbits of objects within the Solar System. It is worth noting that astronomers have been successful in predicting the trajectories of known objects for up to a century in advance. Additionally, NASA has stated that there are currently no known asteroid impact threats to Earth within the next hundred years.
NASA remains committed to the surveillance of the skies and the identification, tracking, and categorization of asteroids and near-Earth objects. In the event that 2007 FT3 is rediscovered, scientists will be able to gather more information regarding its orbit and potential impacts. Contingency plans can then be put into action, including possible methods to divert the asteroid away from Earth if deemed necessary.
While the potential impact of 2007 FT3 is certainly a cause for concern, it is important to remember that scientists are continuously monitoring the skies to ensure the safety of our planet. As advancements in technology and space exploration continue, our understanding of these celestial objects deepens, enabling us to better respond to any potential threats that may arise.
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