Astronomers have now cataloged over 40,000 near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), ranging from a few yards to several miles wide, enhancing both scientific knowledge and planetary defense.

NEAs are closely monitored because even small asteroids can cause serious regional damage if they impact Earth, with software predicting their paths decades or centuries in advance.

Discovery rates surged in the 1990s and 2000s and continue to grow with new instruments like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and ESA’s Flyeye telescopes, which improve detection of faint or fast-moving objects.

ESA missions such as Hera, Ramses, and the upcoming NEOMIR infrared telescope aim to study asteroids’ structure and trajectories, and develop reliable deflection strategies, Earth.com has reported.

The growing NEA catalog and coordinated planetary defense efforts ensure early warning and mitigation options, safeguarding Earth while advancing our understanding of the Solar System.