Astronomy Magazine. Cosmos Magazine - Space. The European Space Agency’s Near Earth Object Coordination Centre – the world’s primary watchdog for an asteroid orbiting close to the planet – has upped the risk level for one of the 19,563 asteroids and 107 comets listed as passing through the Earth’s neighbourhood. According to the agency, recent observations of an asteroid discovered last year and dubbed, thus, XB 2018, have prompted a recalculation of its likelihood of impacting the planet. It is now considered the fifth most dangerous Near Earth Object (NEO) in the sky – but still represents very little cause for concern. XB 2018 is now estimated to have “a probability of about 1 in 7000 to collide with Earth in year 2092”, the ESA reports in its latest bulletin.
Its risk rating may change again – up or down. The object’s current orbital position makes it challenging to observe, but astronomers are confident it will become visible again later in the year. Related reading: Is an asteroid going to kill you? Discovery News - Space. New Scientist - Space. Cookies on the New Scientist website close Our website uses cookies, which are small text files that are widely used in order to make websites work more effectively. To continue using our website and consent to the use of cookies, click away from this box or click 'Close' Find out about our cookies and how to change them Space Log in Your login is case sensitive I have forgotten my password close My New Scientist Look for Science Jobs Earth's love handles keep satellites from falling Big bang, no boom: Did Planck pop inflation bubble? Ringed asteroid will make a star blink out over Africa TODAY: 12:19 10 April 2014 The first known asteroid with Saturn-like rings will cross in front of a star this month, perhaps revealing clues to how the thin rings stay in shape NASA 'flying saucer' for Mars to land in Hawaii TODAY: 20:46 09 April 2014 The test flight will use an inflatable system designed to get heavy loads – and perhaps people – safely on the Martian surface TODAY: 19:30 09 April 2014 Where am I?
Physorg - Astronomy. Scientific American - Space. Skyand Telescope. Space.com. Space Daily. Universe Today.