NASA has issued a warning that Earth is vulnerable to a multitude of “city killer” asteroids that are currently untraceable. These 140-meter-wide rocks pose a significant threat, as they could cause substantial damage if they were to impact a populated area on our planet.

Dr. Kelly Fast, the head of planetary defense at NASA, revealed that around 15,000 mid-sized asteroids, known as “city-killers,” remain undiscovered. The lack of tracking for these potential threats leaves Earth defenseless against a potential impact.

A recent mission led by Dr. Nancy Chabot from Johns Hopkins University involved intentionally crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid moonlet to alter its orbit. While this mission showcased a potential method to protect Earth, there are currently no available spacecraft for a similar future endeavor.

Dr. Chabot expressed concerns about the lack of preparedness for dealing with city killer asteroids, emphasizing the urgency for proactive measures. The unpredictability of these 140-meter asteroids, of which half remain unidentified, presents a significant challenge for planetary defense efforts.

During a presentation at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Fast highlighted the pressing issue of medium-sized asteroids that pose an immediate threat. The uncertainty surrounding the location of these asteroids heightens the risk of regional damage, as current tracking efforts are only partially complete.

The ongoing search for these potentially hazardous asteroids is a time-consuming task, despite advancements in telescope technology. The urgency to identify and monitor these asteroids underscores the need for continued vigilance and investment in planetary defense strategies.