Astronomers have catalogued the 40,000th near‑Earth asteroid, spanning objects from a few metres to kilometres and marking progress in planetary defence. However, current surveys have identified only about 30% of mid‑sized asteroids that could cause regional devastation, leaving significant detection gaps.
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Briefing
40,000 NEAs now tracked — detections span house‑size rocks to multi‑kilometre bodies, but surveys estimate only ~30% of mid‑sized, region‑threat asteroids have been found.
Short detection lead times remain a problem: a sub‑metre object was discovered only hours before it passed below the ISS, highlighting warning‑time limitations (see the close flyby discovery).
A larger catalog directly improves orbital prediction and mitigation planning; recent work on asteroid spin probability maps and analyses of interstellar visitors feed models used to design and target kinetic‑deflection and reconnaissance missions.
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(IT) Over 40,000 Near‑Earth Asteroids, but Risk Remains Limited • spaceconomy360.it
40 000 near-Earth asteroids discovered! • asdnews.com
