The largest and most dangerous asteroid in the last eight years has been spotted by scientists, which could have the power to destroy earth if it were to strike.
Luckily, it’s not likely to hit planet Earth anytime soon.
Cristina Thomas, a planetary astronomer at Northern Arizona University, says that it’s the size that makes the asteroid fascinating.
More about the giant, deadly asteroid
The asteroid was named 2022 AP7 and spans 0.9 miles wide, according to Rochester First.
It was spotted in a region that’s harder for scientists to see because it’s usually blocked by the glare of the sun.
The asteroid does have an orbit that could one day enter Earth’s path, according to the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab.
Scott S. Sheppard, an astronomer at the Earth and Planets Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution for Science, is leading the team in researching this asteroid.
He called the asteroid “the largest potentially hazardous asteroid found in the last eight years or so.”
This is one of three asteroids that scientists refer to as “hiding” in the inner solar system. The other two are safely away from Earth’s orbit.
Despite the location of the asteroid, Earth should remain safe for generations to come.
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