The new asteroid 2022 AP7 has been identified by scientists.
This space rock is among the three NEAs (near-Earth asteroids) discovered by using the Dark Energy Camera with the Victor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope in Chile.
The new study titled "A Deep and Wide Twilight Survey for Asteroids Interior to Earth and Venus," which was published in The Astronomical Journal said that 2021 LJ4 and 2021 PH27 were also discovered.
But, unlike these two, which have orbits that are complete to Earth's orbit, 2022 AP7 occasionally crosses around the sun.
Asteroid 2022 AP7: Why Experts are Concerned
According to News 18's latest report, the new asteroid hiding in the sun's glare is difficult to observe. Astronomers believe that this heavenly body can soon cause immense damage to Earth.
They shared the things that concern them. One of these is that this asteroid is considered the closest one to the sun.
Because of its orbit, 2022 AP7's surface can reach very high temperatures, which can melt even lead.
Aside from this, it is also the asteroid with the largest general-relativity effects in the solar system.
Its orbit location also makes it difficult to astronomers to conduct observations.
"Only about 25 asteroids with orbits completely within Earth's orbit have been discovered to date because of the difficulty of observing near the glare of the sun," said Scott S. Sheppard, the study's lead author.
What Will Happen if It Hits Earth?
The Imperial College of London and Purdue University created a free online model that shows what will happen if ever 2022 AP7 hits Earth.
As of press time, astronomers clarified that this asteroid is not something to worry about. However, in centuries' time, it is possible to make an impact on Earth:
- 17 kilometers of impact could be devastating.
- 100 kilometers of impact could set alight clothes, vegetation, and wood. Multi-story buildings might topple.
- 1,000 kilometers of impact could cause glass windows to shatter.
These possible consequences show that 2022 AP7 could drastically affect many life forms if it hits Earth. However, the planet would not be destroyed.
In other news, a 68-foot-wide asteroid was recently discovered.
We also reported how NASA DART captured epic images before hitting its target asteroid.
For more news updates about asteroids and other space objects, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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Written by: Griffin Davis
