A leading astrophysicist has warned the next asteroid strike is just a matter of time, since there are thousands of potentially threatening objects circling Earth.

Main Points

• Over 1,800 potentially hazardous objects in space have been discovered so far.
• Top astrophysicist Alan Fitzsimmons said there are more asteroids to be found.
• In January an asteroid passed by Earth at a distance half that of the moon.
• We are much better at finding larger asteroids but 'that does us no good if we are not prepared to do something about them', the expert warned.

If the flying rock, which is 230 metres (755 feet) in diameter, were to strike Earth experts believe it would have an impact 300 times greater than Hiroshima bomb.

This one-mile-wide Meteor Crater in Arizona was caused by a small 50-metre asteroid impacting 49,000 years ago. An unexpected strike in today's world could easily destroy a major city, Dr Alan Fitzsimmons said.

Dr Fitzsimmons (pictured) from Queen’s University Belfast Astrophysics Research Centre said it is a case of when an asteroid collision will happen, rather than if it will happen.

Source: dailymail.co.uk