It's a good thing NASA's recent test to divert the trajectory of an asteroid was a success, as astronomers have recently discovered three asteroids, two of which are being called "planet killers."
The findings were shared in a new study explaining that the three asteroids were behind the sun's glare, hence why they were just recently discovered. However, what makes it even more frightening is that one of the planet-killer-sized rocks could come in contact with Earth.
Astronomers shared that the area of space between the orbits of Earth and Venus is often hidden in the sun's glare, making it hard for space gazers to see what is in the area.
However, astronomers were able to conduct surveys during two 10-minute windows at night, letting them see into the area of space without the sun inhibiting it.
Hidden in the glare was a trio of near-Earth asteroids. According to NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies, a near-Earth asteroid is one that gravity has put into orbits that "allow them to enter the Earth's neighborhood."
The smallest of the asteroids, 2021 LJ4, currently has an orbit that is safely and "completely interior to Earth's orbit," according to a press release. Only a few asteroids have this type of orbit, putting it on a small list.
The next asteroid, 2021 PH27, is also in the same category as its smaller companion space rock 2021 LJ4, only it's much larger with a diameter between 0.9 and 1.7 kilometers long. Noir Lab has shared that it is the closest known asteroid to the sun. Though, researchers in the study shared that there are "likely several more" asteroids like it in the region.
The third space rock, 2022 AP7, is unlike the other two discovered, as it has more power to cause a more powerful punch to the planet if it were to strike it. In addition, the asteroid has a diameter of just under a mile long and is an Apollo asteroid, meaning that it has an orbit path that could one day see it slam into the Earth.
Scott Sheppard, the lead author of the study, shared with The New York Times that 2022 AP7 is the largest object potentially hazardous to the planet that has been discovered in almost a decade.
"Over time, this asteroid will get brighter and brighter in the sky as it starts crossing Earth's orbit closer and closer to where the Earth actually is," Sheppard told the Times. "...This is what we call a planet killer. If this one hits the Earth, it would cause planetwide destruction. It would be very bad for life as we know it."
Sheppard shared that the team of astronomers is constantly looking for near-Earth asteroids, and it just happens they discovered the two "planet killers."
While the discovery seems to have a doomsday feel, thanks to the portrayal of discovering asteroids in movies and TV shows, this one is quite as deadly or imminent.
Planetary scientist Tracy Becker shared with the Times that the probability of the asteroid coming into contact with Earth in the "foreseeable future" comes at an "extremely low probability."
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