Astronomical observatories across the world are working hard to detect, trace and catalogue NEOs – comets and asteroids whose orbits bring them into close proximity with Earth. According to the UN subcommittee’s report, in 2020 a network of space observatories located in over 40 countries made some 39.5 million observations of asteroids and comets. As of 17 April 2021, the researchers have recorded 25,647 near-Earth objects, according to the subcommittee. However, the UN admits that the majority of comets and asteroids of “significant size” close to our planet still remain uncounted for. The scientists don’t say it out loud, but it seems that among unidentified ones, some hidden “potentially hazardous” objects could be located.

Source: The Nation July 28, 2021 10:41 UTC