NASA: 1/560 chance of this asteroid hitting Earth

On February 14, 2046, the earth will be visited by the asteroid 2023 DW, which was only discovered a few days ago. The asteroid is around 50 meters in diameter. Its orbit around the Sun will take the rock a minimum distance of 0.0005 astronomical units from Earth. What sounds like little is still 75,000 kilometers.

Computer graphics of the 2023 DW© NASA asteroid

We'll know more in a few weeks
The asteroid is unlikely to hit Earth. Nevertheless, the object is included in the risk lists of NASA and ESA, as USA Today reports. NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office tweeted that it would take a few weeks before a more accurate prediction of 2023 DW's course could be made.

Related video: "2023 DW": Newly discovered asteroid could hit Earth (Dailymotion)

According to current ESA calculations, the asteroid has a 1:625 chance of hitting Earth. NASA sees the probability of a hit even higher, at 1:560. More accurate calculations usually lead to the fact that the chances of a collision with the earth decrease.

Private observatory in Chile
According to ESA's Near-Earth Objects Coordination Center, the asteroid 2023 DW was discovered by the MAP Observatory in San Pedro de Atacama. This small, private observatory is run by Frenchman Alain Maury, who offers astronomy evenings for tourists. He always emphasizes the use of knowledge of astronomy for romantic purposes. It is a fitting coincidence that the newly discovered asteroid whizzes past Earth on Valentine's Day 2046.