Long-lost near-Earth asteroid spotted: New Scientist

In summary, an asteroid that went missing for almost 66 years was re-discovered by astronomers on Wednesday morning, and although it poses a minor threat, its next fly-by on 4 November will miss the Earth by a relatively comfortable seven million kilometers.
  • #1
Ivan Seeking
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A large and potentially hazardous asteroid that went missing for almost 66 years ago was re-discovered by astronomers on Wednesday morning. The good news is that its next fly-by, on 4 November, will miss the Earth by a relatively comfortable seven million kilometres.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994285
 
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  • #2
This is going to happen a little over two weeks from now (17days).
7 million kilometers is 4,349,590 miles. Hermes is 1-2 kilometers in diameter, roughly 5/8 to 1 1/4 miles. They're saying this one doesn't match the Hermes orbit perfectly, but they're pretty sure it's Hermes.

Anyway 4.35 million miles is too close for my taste. Why can't these rogue celestial wanderers stay out of the solar system altogether?
 
  • #3
Originally posted by zoobyshoe
This is going to happen a little over two weeks from now (17days).
7 million kilometers is 4,349,590 miles. Hermes is 1-2 kilometers in diameter, roughly 5/8 to 1 1/4 miles. They're saying this one doesn't match the Hermes orbit perfectly, but they're pretty sure it's Hermes.

Anyway 4.35 million miles is too close for my taste. Why can't these rogue celestial wanderers stay out of the solar system altogether?

This is the deep, dark secret of Chicken Little: He is an astronomer.

For years I have had a Ziggy cartoon posted in my office. First we see an astronomical observatory with its telescope pointed towards the sky. Five scientists are running from the building; screaming and panicking due to [by implication] what was just seen in the scope. Ziggy looks at the reader with resignation and says: Now what?
 
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  • #4
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
Now what?

The best bet is to either deflect it (change its path) or change its velocity (so it doesn't appear at the same place as the Earth at the same time).

Strategies: (Robert Burnham, Astronomy Magazine, Dec 02)
Nuke it – explosion next to or just below surface to vaporize a portion…offgases change the orbit
Smack it – direct impact with fast, massive, inert object to deflect its course
Warm it/cool it – Yarkovsky effect to generate thrust*
Cook it – giant mylar mirror to focus sunlight…jetting vapor alters the orbit

* - or dump lots of reflective/dark material on it (chalk/ice or charcoal/soot) (D. Chandler, Astronomy Magazine, Dec 02)
 
  • #5
Mystery Asteroid, Hermes, May Have a Partner

Astronomers have apparently discovered an interesting twist to one of the greatest asteroid mysteries of all time. Hermes, a space rock lost to science for 66 years and recently rediscovered, could actually be a pair of orbiting asteroids, new radar observations suggest.

And a strange pair, indeed.

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/hermes_binary_031021.html
 
  • #6
Great, they're multiplying.
 
  • #7
at its not coming directly towards earth.....Seven million kilometres is a safe distance!
 

1. What is the significance of the discovery of a long-lost near-Earth asteroid?

The discovery of a long-lost near-Earth asteroid is significant because it provides valuable information about the history and composition of our solar system. These asteroids can also pose a potential threat to Earth if their orbits come too close to ours.

2. How was this long-lost near-Earth asteroid spotted?

The asteroid was spotted using a telescope at the Pan-STARRS observatory in Hawaii. The telescope is equipped with advanced technology that allows it to scan the sky and detect objects that are moving at a rapid pace, such as asteroids.

3. Why was this asteroid considered "lost" in the first place?

This asteroid was considered "lost" because it had not been observed since it was first discovered in 1986. Its orbit was not well understood and it was not detected during subsequent observations, leading scientists to believe it had disintegrated or had a different trajectory.

4. What can we learn from studying this long-lost near-Earth asteroid?

Studying this asteroid can provide scientists with important insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system. It can also help us better understand the potential impact hazards of near-Earth asteroids and inform future asteroid detection and mitigation efforts.

5. Are there any plans to further study this asteroid?

Yes, there are plans to further study this asteroid using ground-based telescopes and possibly even spacecraft missions. Scientists are interested in learning more about its composition, size, and trajectory to gain a better understanding of its origins and potential impact on Earth in the future.

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