How to Stop A Killer Asteroid

Detection

Spotting asteroids is a challenging task due to their inherent darkness and small size. Dr. Cathy Plesko explains that most asteroids are as dark as charcoal, making them difficult to detect against the backdrop of space 1. The asteroid Duende was an exception, being brighter and not approaching from the sun's direction, which made it easier to spot. However, its small size, about 40 meters across, still posed a significant challenge.

These things are really hard to find. They're all fairly dark. So asteroids tend to be about as dark as black velvet or like charcoal briquettes.

--- Dr. Cathy Plesko

Despite these difficulties, the potential threat from larger asteroids remains significant, as they can be much more dangerous than smaller ones like Duende 1.

   

Monitoring

Monitoring systems for asteroids involve a global network of telescopes and protocols to track potential threats. Wendy Zukerman recounts how scientists detected the asteroid Duende using telescopes in Spain, France, and Arizona, coordinating efforts to establish its orbit 2. Once identified, the Minor Planet Center alerts other observatories to gather more data and refine predictions.

That's when we know whether or not it's going to hit us, is once we learn about enough about its orbit.

--- Dr. Cathy Plesko

Despite these efforts, unexpected events like the Chelyabinsk impact highlight the limitations of current monitoring systems and the need for continuous improvement 2.