A Silent Swarm of Impact Risk Asteroids Remains Invisible Due to Solar Glare
A cluster of massive, city-destroying asteroids has been found trailing near Venus—potentially on unstable orbits that could bring them dangerously close to Earth.
These bodies, called Venus co-orbital asteroids, orbit the Sun at nearly the same pace as Venus. Due to their proximity to the Sun in our sky, they’re largely invisible to Earth-based telescopes—a dangerous observational blind spot. According to a new computer model simulation, these space rocks could silently evolve into Earth-impact threats over millennia.
What Makes These Asteroids So Dangerous?
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Over 20 Venus co-orbital asteroids have been identified so far, most larger than 140 meters—the size threshold NASA uses to classify “city-killer” asteroids.
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Their elongated orbits allow periodic close passes to Earth, especially those with low eccentricity—which may be hiding just outside our observational field due to the Sun’s glare.
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Many likely originated from the main asteroid belt, destabilized and pulled into Venus-adjacent orbits by gravitational interactions.
Researchers from the study used long-term orbital simulations to test different Venus co-orbital configurations. Findings show that asteroids with eccentricities under 0.38 are the most dangerous, as they can be subtly nudged onto Earth-crossing paths.
Why Haven’t We Seen Them?
Current detection systems are tuned to catch fast-moving objects approaching Earth from behind or the side. But asteroids near the Sun’s direction—like those hiding near Venus—are missed entirely.
“This is most likely caused by observational biases… asteroids with larger eccentricities may approach the Earth and are easier to detect,” the authors noted.
What Happens Next?
Scientists are banking on the Rubin Observatory’s next-generation sky survey and future space-based missions near Venus’ orbit to uncover these hidden threats. With no peer-reviewed impact risk yet confirmed, the threat remains theoretical—but statistically significant.
FAQ
How big are the asteroids hiding near Venus?
Most exceed 140 meters in diameter, large enough to destroy entire metropolitan areas if they impact Earth.
Can Earth-based telescopes detect them?
Not reliably. These asteroids sit too close to the Sun’s glare from Earth’s perspective.
When will we know if any are on a collision path?
Detection depends on missions like the Rubin Observatory or Venus-orbiting spacecraft. For now, we rely on simulations and indirect observations.Venus isn’t just Earth’s twin—it may be trailing a fleet of invisible threats. As detection tech evolves, so must our planetary defense strategies.
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City-Killer Asteroids Hiding Near Venus Could Threaten Earth, New Study Warns
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Massive asteroids may be trailing Venus unseen due to solar glare. A new study reveals these hidden rocks could shift onto Earth-bound orbits.
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