A newly discovered asteroid, named 2023 DW, has caught the attention of NASA scientists as it has a small chance of colliding with Earth on Valentine’s Day in 2046. The asteroid is roughly the size of an Olympic swimming pool and has a 1 in 560 chance of hitting the planet, making it the only object on NASA’s risk list to rank a 1 on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale. However, the closest the asteroid is expected to come to Earth is about 1.1 million miles (1.8 million km), which is not a cause for concern, according to Davide Farnocchia, a JPL navigation engineer.

Despite the low probability of impact, an asteroid hitting a major city or densely populated area could cause significant damage. This was demonstrated in 2013 when a meteor less than half the size of 2023 DW exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, injuring around 1,500 people and blowing out windows across 200 square miles. However, the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago was far bigger at 7.5 miles (12km) wide.

NASA has been preparing for an asteroid impact for years, and their Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission successfully changed the travel path of a small asteroid by slamming a spacecraft into it last October. Scientists are continually gathering data about 2023 DW, which may alter predictions and further reduce the already low risk of an impact.

While the chance of an asteroid collision may seem remote, it is important to prepare for such an event. The success of the DART mission has shown that it is possible to alter the trajectory of an asteroid if necessary. NASA’s continued research and preparation for such an encounter are essential to mitigate potential damage and protect the planet from a catastrophic impact. 

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