getty Asteroids make big news in 2022. Just two weeks after the 2022 EB5 asteroid crashed into the ocean off the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, another space rock was spotted just hours before it could hit Earth. Finally, the asteroid Sar2594 (now officially called 2022 FD1) and designated as an “Earth-near object” or NEO) grazed the Earth’s atmosphere at 08:10 UTC on March 25, 2022 and passed through the Earth’s powerful shadow in space as he traveled. over the South Pacific Ocean. The result was a total eclipse of 2022 FD1, but it could be severe. MORE THAN FORBESAsteroid The size of a piano with a tail hits the ground and we knew exactly where and when NASABy Jamie Carter says Although not more than six feet / four meters in diameter, the 2022 FD1 traveled just 5,400 miles / 8,700 kilometers from Earth. This is closer than many orbiting satellites. In fact, it was the 13th closest approach to a NEO ever recorded by NASA. It is noteworthy that this asteroid was discovered by the same astronomer who found the 2022 EB5 a few weeks ago, a few hours before its impact. Krisztián Sarneczky at the Piszkéstető Observatory in northern Hungary observed it on March 24, 2022 and reported it to the Minor Planet Center. Then NASA’s Scout Impact Risk Assessment System calculated its trajectory. The Scout is part of NASA’s Planetary Defense System, which also includes the Near-Earth Object Study Center (CNEOS) and NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office. Asteroid 2022 FD1 may be the smallest asteroid ever found. getty Very small asteroids such as 2022 FD1 — probably the smallest known asteroid to date — become bright enough to see in the night sky just a few hours before either hitting the Earth’s atmosphere or approaching, if at all. NASA expects one in the size of 2022 FD1 about every 10 months, so the fact that it appeared just two weeks after 2022 when EB5 actually hit Earth is worrying, right? Yes, but it is also proof that our planetary defense system is now able to find fewer and fewer incoming asteroids as it becomes more sophisticated. I wish you clear skies and open eyes.