Imagine an asteroid lurking just out of sight, ready to change life on Earth as we know it. That’s the alarming reality astronomers are warning us about, as new research reveals a group of asteroids co-orbiting Venus that could pose an unseen threat to our planet.

Published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, this groundbreaking study highlights how these asteroids remain mostly “invisible” due to sunlight obscuring them. With the potential to be knocked into an orbit that crosses Earth’s path, these hidden celestial bodies could have dire consequences.

The focus of the discovery is on Venus co-orbital asteroids, which share the same orbital path around the Sun. So far, about 20 of these objects have been identified, but computer simulations paint a concerning picture. Their orbits are generally unstable, meaning some could eventually drift into our neighborhood—Earth.

But why are they invisible? Well, asteroids in the inner Solar System present a real challenge for detection. Ground-based telescopes are practically blind to them due to the sun’s glare, making it incredibly difficult to observe objects lurking within Earth’s orbit. As a result, potentially hazardous asteroids up to 300 meters wide might remain undetected until they’re right on our doorstep.

The stakes are high: if just one of these massive asteroids were to strike Earth, it could create craters more than 4.5 kilometers wide, unleashing energy equivalent to hundreds of megatons of TNT. Thankfully, the chance of such a collision happening within our lifetime is low. However, astronomers stress that we cannot afford to be complacent.

To tackle this looming threat, scientists are advocating for advanced monitoring systems in space. NASA’s upcoming NEO Surveyor mission, along with a dedicated telescope orbiting Venus, could provide the critical vantage points needed to spot these hidden dangers before it’s too late.