How efficient are we at detecting near Earth objects?

[Ivan Seeking]

The rock, designated 2003 SW130, was far too small to pose any risk. Had it entered the Earth's atmosphere, it would have fragmented in a spectacular meteor display.

But its detection demonstrates just how efficient astronomers are becoming at picking up such rocks, even those that are the size of a living room.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3133000.stm

 

[Nereid]

But its detection demonstrates just how efficient astronomers are becoming at picking up such rocks,

Interesting use of the word 'efficient'.

To find, and then confirm quickly, an object so small is interesting. However, without an estimate of 'the ones that got away' it doesn't really say much about efficiency, at least not in the sense which really counts for us - detecting trouble far enough ahead of time to be able to do something about it.

For those interested, this site has updated links to news about near Earth objects (NEOs):
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news.html