NASA regularly monitors asteroids that are moving towards Earth. Now, the space agency has started working on an infrared telescope that will keep an eye on these rocks from space. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is creating the asteroid-hunting spacecraft called NEO Surveyor (Near-Earth Object Surveyor), which will hunt for asteroids and comets that might pose a danger to our planet.&nbsp;

It is the first space telescope that has been designed specifically for planetary defence purposes. The launch has been planned for the end of 2027 and will be placed a million miles away at the L1 Lagrange point - a point between Earth and the Sun.

Once here, it will block sunlight to let the mission find and track near-Earth objects that might be coming from the direction of the Sun.

The telescope will especially be useful to track asteroids called Earth Trojans, which are hard to spot from the ground or the orbit.&nbsp;

The detectors of the telescope can observe two bands of infrared light that the human eye cannot see. Asteroids that are not visible otherwise glow brightly in infrared because of the Sun. This technology will, therefore, help locate dark asteroids and comets which don’t reflect a lot of visible light.&nbsp;

<h2>Aim of NEO spacecraft</h2>

“NEO Surveyor is optimised to help us to do one specific thing: enable humanity to find the most hazardous asteroids and comets far enough in advance so we can do something about them,” Amy Mainzer, survey director for NEO Surveyor and a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said.

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She added that the aim is to have a spacecraft that can find objects "with the greatest chance of hitting Earth. In the process, we will learn a lot about their origins and evolution.”

The only instrument on the spacecraft will be this high-end telescope. It has a blocky aluminium body and is the size of a washer-and-dryer set. It will rely on curved mirrors that will focus light onto its infrared detectors and minimise optical aberrations.

With the NEO Surveyor, NASA aims to move forward towards reaching the goal set by the US Congress. Under this, the space agency needs to find and characterise at least 90 per cent of the near-Earth objects which are more than 460 feet (140 metres) in size and likely to come within 30 million miles (48 million kilometres) of our planet’s orbit.&nbsp;

Notably, if such objects hit Earth, significant damage can happen.&nbsp;

NASA regularly monitors asteroids that are moving towards Earth. Now, the space agency has started working on an infrared telescope that will keep an eye on these rocks from space.

NASA regularly monitors asteroids that are moving towards Earth. Now, the space agency has started working on an infrared telescope that will keep an eye on these rocks from space. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is creating the asteroid-hunting spacecraft called NEO Surveyor (Near-Earth Object Surveyor), which will hunt for asteroids and comets that might pose a danger to our planet. It is the first space telescope that has been designed specifically for planetary defence purposes. The launch has been planned for the end of 2027 and will be placed a million miles away at the L1 Lagrange point - a point between Earth and the Sun. Once here, it will block sunlight to let the mission find and track near-Earth objects that might be coming from the direction of the Sun. The telescope will especially be useful to track asteroids called Earth Trojans, which are hard to spot from the ground or the orbit. The detectors of the telescope can observe two bands of infrared light that the human eye cannot see. Asteroids that are not visible otherwise glow brightly in infrared because of the Sun. This technology will, therefore, help locate dark asteroids and comets which don’t reflect a lot of visible light. Aim of NEO spacecraft “NEO Surveyor is optimised to help us to do one specific thing: enable humanity to find the most hazardous asteroids and comets far enough in advance so we can do something about them,” Amy Mainzer, survey director for NEO Surveyor and a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said. Also Read: Comet expected to die near the sun might survive the trip, visit Earth in October She added that the aim is to have a spacecraft that can find objects "with the greatest chance of hitting Earth. In the process, we will learn a lot about their origins and evolution.” The only instrument on the spacecraft will be this high-end telescope. It has a blocky aluminium body and is the size of a washer-and-dryer set. It will rely on curved mirrors that will focus light onto its infrared detectors and minimise optical aberrations. With the NEO Surveyor, NASA aims to move forward towards reaching the goal set by the US Congress. Under this, the space agency needs to find and characterise at least 90 per cent of the near-Earth objects which are more than 460 feet (140 metres) in size and likely to come within 30 million miles (48 million kilometres) of our planet’s orbit. Notably, if such objects hit Earth, significant damage can happen.

THIS asteroid-hunting spacecraft can find Trojans and other invisible hazardous objects

Five massive asteroids will pass by Earth this week- from August 27 to September 1, warns NASA. The American space agency‘s Jet Propulsion Laboratory actively tracks these Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and has confirmed that five asteroids are set to pass by Earth.

Though NASA has confirmed that these flyby asteroids don’t pose any threats to Earth, they will be close enough for astronomers and scientists to observe them.

Here are the five asteroids that are set to make a flyby to Earth:

<h3>Asteroid 2020 RL</h3>

Asteroid 2020 RL is a 110-foot near-Earth asteroid that approached Earth on August 27. The asteroid posed no risk to Earth; however, its size and distance of 46.8 lakh km at the time of its approach were ideal for scientists and asteroid enthusiasts to study these celestial objects.

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<h3>Asteroid 2021 RA10</h3>

Set to make its closest approach to Earth at a range of 26.1 lakh km on August 28, Asteroid 2021 RA10 is one of the asteroids that will fly by Earth. The estimated size of this asteroid is 92 feet, which is almost the same size as an aeroplane. Such asteroids are always under strict surveillance for any potential threat by NASA.

<h3>Asteroid 2012 SX49</h3>

With a diameter of 64 feet and an overall size similar to that of a house, this asteroid is moving towards Earth and will make its closest approach on August 29. Asteroid 2012 SX49 will be at a distance of 42.9 lakh km at its closest. While this too poses no threat, observing it closely helps scientists develop data that will assist them in implementing planetary defence systems.

<h3>Asteroid 2016 RJ20</h3>

Asteroid 2016 RJ20 is, again, an airplane-sized asteroid, which is 64 feet in size. The nearest this asteroid will come to Earth is at a distance of 6,990,000 kilometres. It will fly by Earth on August 30.

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<h3>Asteroid 2021 JT</h3>

Among the five asteroids, Asteroid 2021 JT is probably the smallest asteroid approaching Earth. It is just 38 feet in size and will move past Earth on September 1 at a safe distance of about 63.6 lakh kilometres.

Asteroids are nothing but rocky, icy or debris left over the formation of Earth some 4.6 billion years ago and these Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) are found in the asteroids and are found in a belt between Jupiter and Mars.&nbsp;

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory plays an essential role in tracking these asteroids using the Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), which uses the data from telescopes to calculate the orbits of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and analyze their the possibility of risk to our planet.

(With inputs from agencies)

Five massive asteroids will pass by Earth this week- from August 27 to September 1, warns NASA. The American space agency‘s Jet Propulsion Laboratory actively tracks these Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and has confirmed that five asteroids are set to pass by Earth.

Five massive asteroids will pass by Earth this week- from August 27 to September 1, warns NASA. The American space agency‘s Jet Propulsion Laboratory actively tracks these Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and has confirmed that five asteroids are set to pass by Earth. Though NASA has confirmed that these flyby asteroids don’t pose any threats to Earth, they will be close enough for astronomers and scientists to observe them. Here are the five asteroids that are set to make a flyby to Earth: Asteroid 2020 RL Asteroid 2020 RL is a 110-foot near-Earth asteroid that approached Earth on August 27. The asteroid posed no risk to Earth; however, its size and distance of 46.8 lakh km at the time of its approach were ideal for scientists and asteroid enthusiasts to study these celestial objects. Also Read | Meteorite fell in South Africa this weekend for the first time in 50 years Asteroid 2021 RA10 Set to make its closest approach to Earth at a range of 26.1 lakh km on August 28, Asteroid 2021 RA10 is one of the asteroids that will fly by Earth. The estimated size of this asteroid is 92 feet, which is almost the same size as an aeroplane. Such asteroids are always under strict surveillance for any potential threat by NASA. Asteroid 2012 SX49 With a diameter of 64 feet and an overall size similar to that of a house, this asteroid is moving towards Earth and will make its closest approach on August 29. Asteroid 2012 SX49 will be at a distance of 42.9 lakh km at its closest. While this too poses no threat, observing it closely helps scientists develop data that will assist them in implementing planetary defence systems. Asteroid 2016 RJ20 Asteroid 2016 RJ20 is, again, an airplane-sized asteroid, which is 64 feet in size. The nearest this asteroid will come to Earth is at a distance of 6,990,000 kilometres. It will fly by Earth on August 30. Also Read | Alien contact might lead to diseases, conflict, ISRO chief warns Asteroid 2021 JT Among the five asteroids, Asteroid 2021 JT is probably the smallest asteroid approaching Earth. It is just 38 feet in size and will move past Earth on September 1 at a safe distance of about 63.6 lakh kilometres. Asteroids are nothing but rocky, icy or debris left over the formation of Earth some 4.6 billion years ago and these Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) are found in the asteroids and are found in a belt between Jupiter and Mars. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory plays an essential role in tracking these asteroids using the Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), which uses the data from telescopes to calculate the orbits of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and analyze their the possibility of risk to our planet. (With inputs from agencies)

Wait, what? NASA confirms five asteroids are approaching Earth in the next 7 days

An asteroid as large as a stadium is moving towards Earth and will soon fly by our planet. Its massive size and the distance at which it will travel mean that it is considered potentially dangerous. The latest warning has been issued by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as part of its Asteroid Watch programme. Asteroid 2011 AM24 is a whopping 880 feet in size and will make its closest approach to Earth on July 26. It will be 4,010,000 million miles from us at its nearest point. It is moving at a relative speed of 22320 km/hour and has been classified by NASA as a near-Earth object (NEO) and belongs to the Apollo group of these space bodies.&nbsp;

It is a big asteroid and is coming pretty close as well. But does it pose any threat to Earth? Going by NASA's criteria for classifying Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs), it does. The space agency says that asteroids that won't get closer than 4,650,000 million miles to Earth or are smaller than about 140 metres, that is around 460 feet, don't pose a threat. But the 2011 AM24 is 880 feet and is travelling a lot closer than deemed safe.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, July 26 will also see another asteroid hurtling towards us. While this one isn't as big in size, it will come extremely close to us. Asteroid 2024 MH1 is 91 feet long and also belongs to the Apollo group of these space rocks. It will be 1,115,952 million miles from Earth at its closest point and is moving at a relative velocity of 20,916 km/hr. This one will be even closer to us but is extremely small.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-apophis-might-experience-landslides-when-it-crosses-earth-experts-say-741643">Landslides on asteroid? Apophis might witness a few when it crosses Earth, experts say</a>

<h2> 
Why does NASA monitor asteroids?</h2>

 
Asteroids can cause major destruction to planets, as witnessed in the past. NASA regularly monitors them to keep a check on those space bodies that might threaten the safety of Earth. Besides protecting the planet against any such scenario, monitoring them also lets NASA study these celestial visitors. By learning about their movement and travel patterns, scientists can devise ways to create safety plans in case a potentially hazardous asteroid threatens Earth.&nbsp;

The DART is one such mission where scientists worked to understand if they can hit an asteroid before it strikes us. As part of the mission, scientists hit an asteroid to better understand how an asteroid can be deflected in the future. The DART mission broke the asteroid into several pieces, many of which are likely to hit Mars.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

An asteroid as large as a stadium is moving towards Earth and will soon fly by our planet. Its massive size and the distance at which it will travel mean that it is considered potentially dangerous.

An asteroid as large as a stadium is moving towards Earth and will soon fly by our planet. Its massive size and the distance at which it will travel mean that it is considered potentially dangerous. The latest warning has been issued by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as part of its Asteroid Watch programme. Asteroid 2011 AM24 is a whopping 880 feet in size and will make its closest approach to Earth on July 26. It will be 4,010,000 million miles from us at its nearest point. It is moving at a relative speed of 22320 km/hour and has been classified by NASA as a near-Earth object (NEO) and belongs to the Apollo group of these space bodies. It is a big asteroid and is coming pretty close as well. But does it pose any threat to Earth? Going by NASA's criteria for classifying Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs), it does. The space agency says that asteroids that won't get closer than 4,650,000 million miles to Earth or are smaller than about 140 metres, that is around 460 feet, don't pose a threat. But the 2011 AM24 is 880 feet and is travelling a lot closer than deemed safe. Meanwhile, July 26 will also see another asteroid hurtling towards us. While this one isn't as big in size, it will come extremely close to us. Asteroid 2024 MH1 is 91 feet long and also belongs to the Apollo group of these space rocks. It will be 1,115,952 million miles from Earth at its closest point and is moving at a relative velocity of 20,916 km/hr. This one will be even closer to us but is extremely small. Also Read: Landslides on asteroid? Apophis might witness a few when it crosses Earth, experts say Why does NASA monitor asteroids? Asteroids can cause major destruction to planets, as witnessed in the past. NASA regularly monitors them to keep a check on those space bodies that might threaten the safety of Earth. Besides protecting the planet against any such scenario, monitoring them also lets NASA study these celestial visitors. By learning about their movement and travel patterns, scientists can devise ways to create safety plans in case a potentially hazardous asteroid threatens Earth. The DART is one such mission where scientists worked to understand if they can hit an asteroid before it strikes us. As part of the mission, scientists hit an asteroid to better understand how an asteroid can be deflected in the future. The DART mission broke the asteroid into several pieces, many of which are likely to hit Mars.

NASA warns of 880ft asteroid that will come dangerously close to Earth this week