Several news outlets recently reported on an asteroid called 2007 FT3, claiming it was a “lost” asteroid that could hit Earth on October 5th, 2024 with the force of 2.6 billion tons of TNT. While the asteroid is real, NASA has confirmed these reports are misleading and that 2007 FT3 does not actually pose an impact threat.
Discovered in 2007, the 314-meter wide asteroid was only observed for 1.2 days before fading from view. While too faint to be seen now, astronomers were able to calculate its orbit from the initial observations. Analysis showed a slight chance of Earth impact on 89 dates, including October 5th, 2024.
However, NASA assures the public there is no reason for concern. The object’s path brings it nowhere near Earth on any of the projected impact dates. In fact, one calculated “impact” point already passed in 2019 without incident.
NASA closely tracks all near-Earth asteroids 460 feet in size or larger capable of regional devastation. But no known asteroid over 140 meters poses a serious impact threat for at least the next century.
Should 2007 FT3 be rediscovered, astronomers can further refine its orbit to definitively rule out impacts. But for now, NASA confirms this “lost” asteroid poses no danger to Earth in 2024 or the foreseeable future. The public can rest assured: no asteroids are known to be on a collision course with our planet.
Click the link to see the asteroid’s path: https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=2007%20FT3&view=VOP