An Asteroid by Any Other Name With Special Guest Latif Nasser
Sep 17, 2024
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In this riveting conversation, science communicator Latif Nasser explores the fascinating world of asteroids. He discusses NASA's planetary defense strategies, detailing how scientists track and manage near-Earth objects to protect our planet. The talk dives into the quirky case of a peculiar asteroid named Zuzwe, revealing the cultural significance of naming celestial bodies. Latif also highlights the emotional journey of the NEOWISE mission and reminds us of the beauty and chaos that the universe holds.
NASA's NEOWISE program plays a crucial role in detecting and tracking near-Earth asteroids using advanced infrared technology.
The naming of asteroids is a creative process influenced by discoverers, reflecting both cultural significance and scientific criteria established by the International Astronomical Union.
Deep dives
The Chelyabinsk Meteor Impact
In February 2013, a meteor exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, creating a shockwave that caused damage across six cities and injured over a thousand people. This incident highlighted the dangers posed by near-Earth objects, even those that may seem small, and served as a wake-up call for planetary defense. Scientists like Joe Massaro, who tracks asteroids for NASA, emphasize the importance of monitoring such threats to safeguard our planet. After the Chelyabinsk event, there was a heightened global focus on developing a coordinated asteroid warning system.
The Role of WISE in Asteroid Detection
NASA's Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) was originally designed for a different purpose, but it turned out to be an unexpected asset in detecting asteroids. By utilizing infrared technology, WISE was able to spot asteroids that are often invisible to ground-based observatories due to their small size and distance from Earth. The team behind WISE identified over 100,000 objects in the asteroid belt while also creating a comprehensive map of potential threats. After the initial mission ended, the spacecraft was repurposed as NEOWISE to focus specifically on near-Earth asteroids, paving the way for more discoveries.
The Importance of Collaborative Efforts
Global collaboration is critical in the search for and monitoring of near-Earth objects to ensure planetary safety. Teams like Joe Massaro's meet regularly to review asteroid detection findings, coordinating with observatories and amateur astronomers worldwide to track new discoveries. When a new asteroid is identified, the information is quickly reported to the Minor Planet Center for further tracking and cataloging. This collective effort underscores the reality that the defense of our planet is a shared responsibility among scientists and communities around the globe.
Naming Asteroids: A Unique Process
The process of naming asteroids combines science with personal creativity, where discoverers often propose whimsical names that can reflect their significance or honor individuals. For instance, there are now over 600,000 identified asteroids, many named after mythological figures, while newer discoveries can receive more modern names as desired by their discoverers. The naming process is overseen by the International Astronomical Union, which ensures that names meet specific criteria. As more asteroids are discovered, both naming and tracking efforts continue to evolve, revealing the fascinating interplay between astronomical science and cultural significance.
The idea of an asteroid from outer space crashing into Earth has captured the imaginations of science fiction directors for decades. But here at NASA, we take potentially hazardous near-Earth objects seriously. We have a planetary defense office that plans for every scenario—we’ve even practiced nudging an asteroid off course with spacecraft. But there are tens of thousands of objects in near-Earth space, and the first step in protecting against potential impacts is spotting, tracking and managing every single one of them. Learn how NASA does just that from Joe Masiero, a scientist on the asteroid survey mission NEOWISE. Then, join friend of the show Latif Nasser, co-host of the podcast Radiolab, to untangle the mystery of a strange space rock that’s not quite a moon but not quite a normal asteroid, either.
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