NASA’s NEOWISE Telescope: A Decade of Discovery Ends as it Falls from Orbit

NASA’s NEOWISE infrared space telescope, a vital tool in asteroid and comet hunting, is nearing the end of its operational life. After a decade of groundbreaking discoveries, including identifying a unique comet and tracking thousands of near-Earth objects, solar activity is causing its orbit to decay. Learn about its remarkable contributions to planetary defense and space exploration before its fiery atmospheric re-entry.

NASA’s NEOWISE Space Telescope Ends 15-Year Career, Leaving a Gap in Planetary Defense

NASA’s NEOWISE space telescope, dedicated to detecting near-Earth asteroids and comets, has ended its 15-year mission. The spacecraft, which vastly exceeded its original seven-month lifespan, discovered over 200 previously unknown near-Earth objects and provided valuable data on thousands more. The end of its mission is due to the sun’s increasing activity, which poses a threat to the spacecraft’s stability. While NEOWISE’s retirement leaves a temporary gap in Earth’s planetary defense, NASA’s NEO Surveyor telescope is in development, aiming to fill the void starting in 2027.

New Study Explains the Bizarre Shapes of Tiny Asteroids

A new study has revealed the secrets behind the unusual shapes of tiny asteroids like Dimorphos and Selam. Researchers have discovered that the moonlets’ unique forms are influenced by the gravitational force of their parent asteroid and the nature of collisions they experience with other rocky objects. The findings suggest that such oddly shaped asteroids might be more prevalent than previously believed.

Mars Faces Double the Asteroid Threat Compared to Earth, Study Finds

Mars is more likely to experience close encounters with potentially dangerous asteroids than Earth, according to a recent study. Researchers have identified approximately 52 large asteroids that pass near Mars annually, which is about 2.6 times more than the number approaching Earth. These asteroids, known as ‘CAPHAs’ (close approach potentially hazardous asteroids), could pose a significant threat to future exploratory missions and human settlements on the Red Planet.

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