ESA, NASA Data Shows New 1,312-Foot Asteroid With Non-Zero Impact Probability

The European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA have detected a massive asteroid that has a non-zero impact probability. According to the agencies' data, the asteroid is bigger than the Empire State building.

The dangerous asteroid has been identified as 2019 WW4. It is the latest addition to the ESA’s Risk List, which catalogs all known dangerous asteroids that have non-zero impact probabilities.

"The Risk List is a catalogue of all objects for which a non-zero impact probability has been detected. Each entry contains details on the Earth approach posing the highest risk of impact."

According to the data compiled by the ESA, 2019 WW4 has an estimated diameter of 1,312 feet. The agency predicted that if the massive space rock collides with Earth, it might do so with an impact velocity of over 32,000 miles per hour.

2019 WW4 is classified as an Apollo asteroid. Like the other Apollos, 2019 WW4 follows a wide orbit within the Solar System. Occasionally, the asteroid’s orbit crosses with that of Earth as the planet travels around the Sun.

Aside from the ESA, NASA’s asteroid impact monitoring system Sentry is also tracking 2019 WW4. According to the data collected by Sentry, the asteroid is in danger of causing 26 potential impact scenarios on Earth.

In similar data provided by the ESA, the agency noted that these impact events could happen between 2036 and 2116. During this period, the asteroid’s greatest chance of colliding with Earth could take place on Aug. 25, 2044.

While the asteroid has a non-zero impact probability, there is still a chance 2019 WW4 will be removed from the Risk List.

"Whenever a potential impact is detected it will be analyzed and the results immediately published here, except in unusual cases where we seek independent confirmation. It is normal that, as additional observations become available, objects will disappear from this table whenever there are no longer any potential impact detections," NASA explains.