---
title: New Study Eases Concerns Over Possible ‘Doomsday’ Asteroid Swarm
date: 2024-10-07T17:15:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/new-study-eases-concerns-over-possible-doomsday-asteroid-swarm"
section: Articles
---
# New Study Eases Concerns Over Possible ‘Doomsday’ Asteroid Swarm

*October 7, 2024* — by [Georgia Jiang](/author/georgia-jiang)


> UMD Astronomer and Team Found Fewer Dangerous Space Rocks in Earth’s Neighborhood Than Expected

*Adobe Stock 137381895 1920x1080 — A nearby asteroid swarm is far less of a deep-space threat than previously thought, new UMD-led research has shown.*

Astronomers have good news about potentially hazardous asteroids lurking near our planet: There aren’t as many as we thought.

A team of researchers led by the University of Maryland surveyed a large expanse of sky to investigate a stream of space debris drifting near Earth called the Taurid swarm. Thought to be remnants that broke off of a large comet called Encke, the Taurids can be seen from Earth as highly visible meteor showers in October and November. This region has long intrigued astronomers due to its potential for harboring hidden, dangerous asteroids, but researchers could not confirm or disprove the existence of such hazards—until now.

The group’s findings were announced at the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Sciences [annual meeting](https://dps.aas.org/meetings/current/) on Monday*.* The team also included researchers from Poolesville High School in Maryland, the University of Western Ontario and the University of Washington, Seattle.


*asteroid — Photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Minnesota*




**Topics:** [Research](https://today.umd.edu/tags/research)


**Tags:** [Astronomy](https://today.umd.edu/topic/astronomy), [Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research)


**Units:** [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences)