Scientists have issued a stark warning about several dangerous asteroids lurking near Venus that could pose a serious threat to Earth. These asteroids are difficult to detect because Venus often blocks the view from telescopes on Earth. Moving in sync with Venus’s orbit around the Sun, these space rocks can unpredictably shift paths, potentially crossing Earth’s orbit. Some of these asteroids are large enough to cause catastrophic damage if they collide with our planet, with the potential to destroy entire cities. Experts say the window to spot these objects before they approach Earth may be very limited.
What is the nature of Venus co-orbital asteroids
Asteroids that share Venus’s orbit, known as Venus co-orbitals, travel alongside the planet but maintain a safe distance from it. These asteroids move in a delicate gravitational dance with Venus, keeping pace as they orbit the Sun. However, their orbits are inherently unstable and can shift unpredictably over time due to gravitational influences from other planets and the Sun. This instability increases the risk that their paths might eventually cross Earth’s orbit, raising the possibility of a collision. Because of these constantly changing trajectories, they are particularly dangerous and difficult to track reliably over long periods.
Why Venus blocks our view
Venus’s position between Earth and the Sun creates a significant blind spot for ground-based telescopes and many space observatories. The brightness and glare of the Sun near Venus make it challenging to detect asteroids that are hidden in this region of space. This means that potentially hazardous asteroids can easily go unnoticed until they approach very close to Earth, often giving astronomers only a short window to detect, study, and prepare for any possible impact. The Sun’s overwhelming light effectively masks these objects, posing a serious obstacle to current asteroid monitoring efforts.
The most concerning asteroids
Three asteroids named 2020 SB, 524522, and 2020 CL1 have been identified by researchers as particularly worrisome. Each measures between approximately 100 and 400 metres in diameter, making them large enough to cause devastating damage if they were to strike Earth. Their orbits bring them alarmingly close to Earth’s trajectory, sometimes closer than the Moon’s average distance. Such proximity increases the chance of impact and raises concerns for densely populated urban areas. Because these asteroids are hard to detect early due to Venus’s glare, they represent a major risk that requires urgent monitoring.
The challenge of detection
Earth-based telescopes have significant limitations when it comes to scanning the region of space near Venus, mainly due to the Sun’s intense glare and Venus’s position in the sky. This “blind spot” prevents astronomers from tracking many asteroids that might be co-orbiting with Venus and moving toward Earth. Scientists argue that the only way to fully identify and monitor these hidden asteroids is to launch a dedicated space probe towards Venus. Such a mission could map the region in detail and provide early warning of any threatening objects, giving humanity a better chance to prepare or deflect potential impacts.
What can be done next
Experts are calling for urgent advancements in space monitoring technology to address this critical blind spot near Venus. They recommend deploying dedicated space missions to closely observe Venus’s orbital region and discover any hidden asteroids lurking there. Early detection systems must be improved to give more time for effective response measures, such as deflection or evacuation. Meanwhile, ongoing international collaboration in asteroid tracking continues to assess risks and develop contingency plans. Increasing investment in planetary defence will be vital to protect Earth from these unpredictable, yet potentially disastrous, asteroid threats.
