The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Gaia telescope has discovered over 350 potential moons orbiting asteroids, almost doubling the known number of binary asteroid systems in our solar system. These findings provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system, revealing information about collisions and the distribution of water and organic molecules.
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.
The European Space Agency’s Gaia mission has uncovered a treasure trove of potential moons orbiting asteroids, nearly doubling the number of known binary asteroid systems. This discovery highlights the power of Gaia’s data and opens up new avenues for exploring the dynamics of our solar system.
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 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.
