ESA reports on an asteroid that could collide with the Earth in 2046

The Center for the Coordination of Near-Earth Objects at the European Space Agency (ESA) added to risk list new object codenamed 2023DW. This is an asteroid that may collide with the Earth on February 14, 2046. With a diameter of 49.29 meters, it is the size of an Olympic swimming pool.

The risk of collision is 1 in 625, which by the standards of scientists is considered a fairly high probability. Now there are 1,449 objects on the list of potential threats of the Center, and 2023DW is in 10th place in terms of likelihood - and in first place in terms of size among the 200 most likely.

So far, the exact shape of the asteroid is unknown. Moreover, the study began only recently, more accurate calculations of the orbit in the future may well show that contact with the Earth is less likely than currently believed.

Also, the 50-meter 2023DW is not considered large enough to cause catastrophic damage in a collision. But if there is still a risk, NASA or other agencies can use systems like DARTto change the asteroid's orbit and avoid a collision.