Astronomers peering into the twilight sky have found three previously unknown near-Earth asteroids.
is around 7 kilometers across) that we thankfully know about. If we know about them, we can model their orbits, and calculate if and when they are likely to come within hazardous range of Earth. With enough notice, we might be able to do something about it, likeDiscovering new Atira asteroids is important, too. Our understanding of the minor planet population of the Solar System is primarily based on a census of space rocks in the farther reaches.
"Our DECam survey is one of the largest and most sensitive searches ever performed for objects within Earth's orbit and near to Venus's orbit," ."This is a unique chance to understand what types of objects are lurking in the inner Solar System."the survey has uncovered a greater number of larger asteroids – those at least a kilometer across. This could mean smaller asteroids are less stable in the inner Solar System, or more susceptible to breaking apart in the intense thermal and gravitational environment closer to the Sun.
It might simply be that smaller asteroids are harder to detect, though. This makes an excellent case for more sensitive surveys in the future.
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