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Newly Discovered Asteroid 2025 SC79 Poses Potential Threat to earth
What is Asteroid 2025 SC79?
Astronomers from the Carnegie Institution for Science have announced the finding of 2025 SC79, a near-Earth asteroid. While considerably smaller than the Chicxulub asteroid that caused the dinosaur extinction 66 million years ago, an impact from 2025 SC79 would have catastrophic consequences on a continent-wide scale.
This asteroid belongs to the Atira group, the rarest type of near-Earth object.As of its discovery, 2025 SC79 is only the 39th known member of this group. Its orbit is particularly challenging to observe due to its proximity to the Sun, making it difficult to detect.
Why are Atira Asteroids So dangerous?
Atira asteroids are considered the most treacherous type of near-Earth object. They originate from the inner Solar system, close to the Sun, meaning telescopes can only detect them when they are briefly visible, potentially leaving little time for mitigation efforts.
The difficulty in detecting these asteroids stems from their dim light being overwhelmed by the SunS glare. This makes tracking their orbits and predicting potential impacts incredibly challenging.
The History of impacts in the Solar System
The Solar System’s early history was marked by frequent collisions and disasters. Millions of rocky bodies collided and shattered, eventually forming the planets and the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. However, some bodies remained hidden in difficult-to-observe locations, posing a continued threat.
The formation of the planets wasn’t a neat process. It was a chaotic period of accretion and destruction. The remnants of this period, like 2025 SC79, continue to orbit the Sun, occasionally crossing Earth’s path.
Key Facts About 2025 SC79
Orbital Characteristics and Size
2025 SC79 is unique as it is only the second known object with an entire orbit inside Venus’s orbit.It completes an orbit around the Sun in just 128 days. While the exact size of the asteroid is still being determined, its potential impact energy is significant.
| Orbital Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Orbital Period | 128 days |
| Orbital Location | Inside Venus’s orbit |
| Crosses Orbits of | Mercury and Venus |
