A new study suggests that a hidden population of asteroids, known as “Venus co-orbitals,” could pose a threat to Earth.

These asteroids share Venus’ orbit around the Sun but are hard to detect from Earth due to the Sun’s glare.

Researchers, led by Valerio Carruba of the University of São Paulo, created simulations showing that these objects may have chaotic orbits capable of close encounters or even collisions with Earth.

Current ground-based telescopes struggle to detect them, but the upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory (set to begin operations in July 2025) and future space-based observatories could help, Gizmodo has reported.

Finding these potentially hazardous asteroids is crucial for planetary defense.

Written by B.C. Begley