Understanding Near-Earth Asteroids and Their Monitoring

Mashable India
Understanding Near-Earth Asteroids and Their Monitoring - Article illustration from Mashable India

Image source: Mashable India website

Asteroids, remnants of the solar system's evolution, can sometimes come close to Earth. These Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) are monitored by NASA and the ESA under the Spaceguard project. As of December 2024, there are 40,005 identified NEAs, without immediate threats reported. With varying sizes, NEAs can facilitate future initiatives for planetary safety. The ongoing efforts and monitoring have greatly improved the understanding of NEOs and their paths, ensuring that we are better prepared for any potential risks.

Asteroids, the remnants from the formation of our solar system, exist in a belt between Mars and Jupiter and sometimes travel close to Earth. These bodies, while potentially hazardous, have not caused any recent catastrophic impacts. To mitigate risks associated with Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), which include both asteroids and comets that can approach our planet closely, organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) actively monitor their paths. NEAs, or Near-Earth Asteroids, are defined as those within approximately 45 million kilometers or 0.3 astronomical units from Earth’s orbit. Their sizes can vary from several meters to a few kilometers in diameter. Under the cooperative project known as Spaceguard, initiated in 1988, the EU and the USA have been working to identify and track NEOs, including NEAs and Near-Earth Comets (NECs). As of December 2024, the count of known NEAs has reached 40,005, with notable instances like the asteroid 1991 BA, which passed within a mere 170,000 kilometers of Earth, marking one of the closest encounters. The ESA's Planetary Defence System recently noted that these newly identified NEAs pose no immediate threat to the planet. For those interested, virtual tracking of these asteroids is accessible via NASA’s dedicated tracking platform, where the public can observe how advancements in space monitoring contribute to planetary safety. The ongoing tracking efforts signify a commitment to understanding and mitigating the risks posed by potential asteroid impacts, emphasizing the need for preparedness initiatives for the future.

Share this article