NASA managed to predict this weekend that asteroid 2024 BX1 would collide with Germany, marking a significant advance in planetary defense. The space agency used the Scout Impact Assessment System.
NASA discovered that the asteroid would collide just 95 minutes before hitting Earth’s atmosphere. The mass, about 1 meter in size, disintegrated harmlessly.
The Scout gave advance warning of the location and time of impact. Thus, representing the eighth time in history that a small asteroid en route to Earth was detected while still in space, before disintegrating in the atmosphere.
Although NASA monitors near-Earth objects of all sizes, its primary responsibility is to detect and track objects 140 meters or larger that could cause significant damage.
Asteroid 2024 BX1, although small, provided a useful opportunity to demonstrate planetary defense capabilities.
Location where the asteroid fell. Image: NASA/Reproduction
How NASA’s planetary defense system works
The Scout system, developed and operated by Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (Neos) at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory automatically detected data about the asteroid, calculating its likely trajectory and chances of impact.
Astronomers across Europe contributed data, increasing the accuracy of predictions.
The Scout initially indicated the possibility of impact. The probability of collision increased rapidly, and 70 minutes after the first observation, the Scout reported a 100% probability of impact.
Thus, continually redefining the location and time. The asteroid disintegrated over a populated area, resulting in several records from residents of the region.
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Another *incredible* shot of the small asteroid burning up above Germany just moments ago—wow. pic.twitter.com/OGl0GuWGe6
— Dr Robin George Andrews 🌋☄️ (@SquigglyVolcano) January 21, 2024
These events, while not posing a threat to Earth, provide valuable information for NASA’s planetary defense program.
Contributing to future mitigation strategies if dangerous objects are discovered on a collision course with the planet. Scout and similar initiatives continue to play a vital role in protecting Earth from potential asteroid impacts.
2024-01-31 01:28:00
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