Does one of these asteroids have our name on it? NASA reveals orbits of 1,400 potentially hazardous asteroids

Via dailymail.co.uk, 13 August 2013 - There are currently 1,400 potentially hazardous asteroids that could pass close to Earth, according to latest data revealed by Nasa.

An image mapping the orbits of all the potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) provides a graphic of the crowded cosmic activity.

These asteroids are considered hazardous because they are fairly large - at least 460 feet or 140 meters in size.

• These asteroids are classified as 'hazardous' because they are at least 140 meters in size and could come within 4.7 million miles of Earth's orbit
• However, none are considered a threat over the next hundred years
• NEOCam mission will track these asteroids and other near-Earth objects

This graphic shows the orbits of all the known Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs), numbering over 1,400 as of early 2013. These are the asteroids considered hazardous because they are fairly large (at least 460 feet or 140 meters in size), and because they follow orbits that pass close to the Earth's orbit

They are classified as PHAs because they follow orbits that are considered to pass close to the Earth's, at  or 7.5 million kilometres.

However, Nasa claims that being classified as a PHA does not mean that an asteroid will impact the Earth.

Scientists there claim that none of the asteroids shown in the image are considered a threat over the next 100 years. 

The group is planning to continue to track these asteroids so that their orbits can be refined and more precise predictions made of their future close approaches and impact probabilities.

The dots represent a snapshot of the population of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs). Positions of a simulated population of PHAs on a typical day are shown in bright orange, and the simulated NEAs are blue. Earth's orbit is green

As part of this effort it is working on the development of an infrared sensor that could improve its asteroid tracking capabilities, dubbed the Near Earth Object Camera (NEOCam) sensor.

The NEOCam space mission will also search for the most favourable destinations for future exploration by humans or robotic missions.

Asteroids reflect visible light. This means that when searching for near-Earth objects with optical telescopes, the data collected can be deceiving.

Depending on how reflective the object is, a small, light-coloured space rock can look the same as a big, dark one. Asteroids do, however, always emit infrared radiation.

This image shows the differences between orbits of a typical near-Earth asteroid (blue) and a potentially hazardous asteroid, or PHA (orange). PHAs are a subset of the near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). They have the closest orbits to Earth's orbit, coming within 5 million miles

‘When you observe a space rock with infrared, you are seeing its thermal emissions, which can better define the asteroid's size as well as tell you something about composition,’ said Amy Mainzer, an author on the paper and principal investigator for NASA's NEOWISE and NEOCam missions.

Asteroids emit most of their radiation at infrared wavelengths near about 10 microns (0.0004 inches), which humans perceive as heat.

There is also relatively less radiation from stars and galaxies at these wavelengths, which simplifies detection of faint moving objects.

Once launched, the space-based telescope would be positioned at a location about four times the distance between Earth and the moon.


From this lofty perch, NEOCam could observe the comings and goings of near Earth objects, including PHAs, without the impediments such as cloud cover and daylight.

The Near-Earth Object Camera (NEOCam) is a mission proposed to NASA to find potentially hazardous asteroids. The mission will use a new sensor, called the NEOCam chip, that has more pixels and better sensitivity than previous generations of infrared sensors

Watch out for Apophis: Asteroid named after an Egyptian demon set to pass by Earth

A 900 foot-wide asteroid will make the latest in a series of close approaches to the Earth on 9th January, 2013.

Scientists have ruled out any possibility of a cataclysmic collision - yet - but there remains a non-negligible chance of the asteroid Apophis smashing into Earth in 2036.

This year Apophis, named after an Egyptian mythological demon, will not get closer than around nine million miles.

Scientists will use the encounter to improve their estimate of just how dangerous the space rock really is.

Experts say the impact if Apophis struck the Earth would generate a blast equivalent to more than 500 megatons of TNT

IF IT HIT US....

Nasa scientists have calculated that if Apophis struck the Earth it would generate a blast equivalent to more than 500 megatons of TNT. 

In comparison, the most powerful hydrogen bomb ever detonated, the Soviet Tsar Bomba, released 57 megatons.

In 2029, Apophis is expected to come uncomfortably close, brushing past the Earth at a distance of just 30,000 kilometres. That will put the asteroid inside the orbit of communication satellites.

Current models predict a tiny but real likelihood of Apophis colliding with the Earth in 2036.

When the asteroid was discovered in 2004 scientists calculated a one-in-45 chance of an impact in 2029. 

Improved predictions later lifted the threat.

The asteroid's latest near approach will occur at midnight UK time tomorrow.

Members of the public can view the event online via the Slooh web-based sky-watching service, which collects images from observatories around the world.

Slooh president Patrick Paolucci said: 'Alone among all these near-Earth asteroids that have passed our way in recent years, Apophis has generated the most concern worldwide because of its extremely close approach in 2029 and potential impact, albeit small, in 2036. 

The asteroid is set to return i 2013, when it will pass even closer to Earth

'We are excited to cover this asteroid live for the general public.'

Scientists at the American space agency Nasa have calculated that if Apophis struck the Earth it would generate a blast equivalent to more than 500 megatons of TNT. 

In comparison, the most powerful hydrogen bomb ever detonated, the Soviet Tsar Bomba, released 57 megatons.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2259136/Watch-Apophis-Asteroid-named-Egyptian-demon-set-pass-Earth.html#ixzz2HS7tIliM

NASA Announces Largest Near-Earth Destined Asteroid to Date: 197 feet

Vancouver, Canada, November 12, 2012 – NASA has predicted that in less than three months a potentially killer asteroid of historical proportions might pass Earth. This particular asteroid will come so close to Earth scientists have yet to determine with 100% certainty it won’t collide with Earth. What is known by NASA is that the asteroid is definitely headed towards Earth with an arrival time pegged at approximately February 15, 2013. One previously unknown factor is scientists have never witnessed an event on this scale and magnitude so there will be a steep learning curve as it approaches.

Present calculations predict a trajectory of within 20,000 miles of earth. Labeled 2012-DA14 it is an estimated 197 feet across and most likely tips the scale at just under 150,000 tons, depending on which elements and constituents it is comprised of. It could be made up metals such as iron or nickel or many other possible combinations of elements and metals so the actual weight is hard to estimate but in this case size does matter. It is pure conjecture at this point whether or not the predicted path is 100% accurate. Although DA14′s appearance has not been publicized in major newspapers or media outlets this asteroid could be the most significant outer-space based event of our lifetime and has the potential to kill millions of people if its predicted path is altered by earth’s gravity and is pulled into our atmosphere.

One thing is known for sure, we will see DA14 come within the boundary of our geostationary satellites. Geostationary satellites are the ones we aim our satellites dishes at, for TV and Internet access. These satellites keep in time with Earth’s rotation allowing us to receive and transmit 24/7 and 365 days a year. These satellites are parked above our heads in a circular orbit of 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometres) above the Earth’s equator and follow the direction of the Earth’s rotation, there are many of them and they keep in time with any given location above the Earth.

To show how serious an event this is, the moon is 239,000 miles from earth (384,000 km).  Some calculations place DA14 coming as close as 16,000 miles, but it doesn’t matter if it is 16,000 miles or 20,000 miles (the outside estimate), the distances are all within the range inhabited by geostationary satellites, even conservative estimates show it could wipe out many geostationary satellites if they are not moved to avoid the collision. These are the satellites we use for telecommunications, internet , TV and most probably locations used for many U.S. military assets.

To give you an idea how close a shave this will be, the asteroid will come within 8.3% of the distance between us and the moon. 8.3% between life and death on our Earth. Also, the largest and brightest “shooting star” you have ever seen on a clear night is the about the size of a kitchen refrigerator or a little bigger. DA14 is 197 feet across.

If you were to take an impromptu survey on any street in North America chances are that 99.99% of people surveyed will never have heard of 2012-DA14 but DA14 could change many millions of people’s lives forever if it is pulled into our atmosphere by Earth’s gravity. It will be an interesting event to watch and monitor no matter what the outcome. It is what most people would call a “dry run” for an event like this which will occur with 100% certainty in our future.