- A new study warns that a swarm of large, undiscovered asteroids near Venus could pose a future threat to Earth.
- These co-orbital asteroids, likely originating from the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, are estimated to be over 140 metres in size, capable of causing city-sized damage upon impact.
- Scientists have discovered around 20 asteroids orbiting Venus, but suspect many more remain hidden due to the Sun's glare.
- Computer simulations suggest that these hidden asteroids could change trajectories, potentially leading to a collision course with Earth over millennia.
- Researchers hope the Rubin Observatory and future Venus-based space missions will help detect these obscured asteroids and better assess the risk they pose.
IN FULL
Giant asteroid swarm near Venus could pose ‘invisible threat’ to Earth, scientists warn
