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The Rubin Observatory's LSST Will Detect Imminent Impactors Before They Crash Into Earth

The Vera Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) is poised to detect one to two meter‑scale near‑Earth objects each year, roughly doubling the current discovery rate for imminent impactors. Simulations of 343 historic fireballs show a median detection window of 1.57 days before atmospheric entry, with some objects identified weeks in advance. LSST’s southern‑hemisphere coverage reduces the traditional northern‑bias of asteroid surveys, providing a more balanced global alert system. Early warnings enable detailed physical characterization and precise impact‑site predictions, strengthening planetary‑defense capabilities.