NASA is currently monitoring nearly 5 of the most dangerous asteroids to Earth, including those with a high risk of causing catastrophic impacts.
Approximately 66 million years ago, Earth was struck by an asteroid the size of a city. The impact released an energy equivalent to 72 trillion tons of TNT, creating a crater over 100 miles (approximately 180 km) wide on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.
The Chicxulub asteroid is considered the culprit behind the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which wiped out 3/4 of living species, including non-avian dinosaurs.
In an effort to prevent similar collisions, the Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at NASA operates the Sentry impact monitoring system, continuously analyzing the potential hazardous trajectories of asteroids. Below is a list of the 5 most dangerous asteroids currently being monitored.
1. Bennu
Size: 0.49 km
Mass: 67 million tons
Discovered in 1999, Bennu is currently regarded as the most dangerous asteroid to Earth. However, its collision probability is very low, only 0.037% (1 in 2,700), with the highest risk date projected for September 24, 2182. If Bennu were to collide with Earth, it would cause an explosion equivalent to 1.4 billion tons of TNT, resulting in significant regional damage.
Interestingly, Bennu contains the fundamental chemical components of life, including the amino acid glycine and various water-containing minerals, according to analysis data from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission in 2023.
2. 29075 (1950 DA)
Size: 1.3 km
Mass: 71 million tons
1950 DA could cause a global catastrophe if it were to collide with Earth. The probability of this occurring is 0.0029% (1 in 34,500), with the highest risk date projected for March 16, 2880. A collision could produce an explosion equivalent to 75 billion tons of TNT—enough to wipe out human civilization.
3. 2023 TL4
Size: 0.33 km
Mass: 43 million tons
2023 TL4, discovered in 2023, serves as evidence that even new asteroids can immediately become a threat. With a collision probability of 0.00055% (1 in 181,000), its most dangerous moment is projected for October 10, 2119. If a collision occurs, the energy released would be equivalent to 7.5 billion tons of TNT.
4. 2007 FT3
Size: 0.34 km
Mass: 49 million tons
2007 FT3 is currently categorized as a “lost asteroid” as it has not been observed since 2007. However, NASA estimates the collision probability to be 0.0000096% (1 in 10 million) on March 3, 2030. If this were to happen, the energy would be equivalent to 2.6 billion tons of TNT, causing severe damage on a regional scale.
5. 1979 XB
Size: Unknown
Mass: Unknown
1979 XB is another “lost asteroid” that has not been observed since 1979. According to CNEOS scientists, it has a 0.000055% (1 in 1.8 million) chance of colliding with Earth on December 14, 2113. A collision could release energy equivalent to 30 billion tons of TNT.
