Join NASA scientists Kelly Fast, Tom Statler, and Davide Farnocchia as they discuss asteroid detection, classification, and planetary defense strategies. Explore ongoing missions like OSIRIS-REx and learn about NASA's efforts to protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts through collaboration and observation. Dive into the intricate process of detecting and responding to asteroid threats, including the successful dart mission as a mitigation strategy.
Monitoring asteroids is crucial to prevent collisions with Earth through early detection and trajectory alteration.
Studying asteroids provides insights into the solar system's history, composition, and diversity.
Deep dives
The Importance of Monitoring Near-Earth Asteroids
Monitoring asteroids near Earth is crucial to detect potential impacts and take preventive action. NASA's missions like Dart and OSIRIS-REx aim to study and understand asteroids better. By detecting asteroids early, years or decades in advance, it is possible to alter their trajectory and prevent collisions with Earth.
Characteristics and Classification of Asteroids
Asteroids are rocky bodies smaller than planets, orbiting the Sun and varying in composition. They can be remnants of collisions or planetary formation, with sizes ranging from meters to hundreds of miles. Classified by color, composition, and surface features, asteroids offer insights into the solar system's history and diversity.
Role of Planetary Defense Coordination Office in Near-Earth Object Observation
NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office tracks and studies near-Earth objects, focusing on potentially hazardous asteroids over 140 meters in size. Collaborating globally, NASA aims to find, warn, and mitigate any impact threats. Strategies like the kinetic impact technique and international coordination help ensure Earth's protection from possible asteroid impacts.
Our solar system contains millions of asteroids, orbiting our sun and rocketing through the night sky! Join scientists Kelly Fast, Tom Statler, and Davide Farnocchia as we discover what we can learn from these building blocks of the universe, and how NASA would respond if one were ever headed our way.
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