In the meantime, researchers have discovered that the Special infrared filters On the James Webb versatile space telescope (JWST) can also be used to find small asteroids and precisely determine their size. With light optical telescopes that are starting to fight while 2024 years are based on sight, “it seems that JWST would be a fantastic adjustment,” said Cristina ThomasAstronomer and planetary defense researcher at the Northern Arizona University.
“Asteroids become much brighter in the infrared than in the visible when they move away from the earth, and they are therefore easier to detect or follow with infrared installations – JWST being the largest of all” , explain Julien de WitA planetary scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Astronomers – notably Rivkin, Farnocchia, Thomas and de Wit – particularly offer a proposal Request use of JWST to refine the size of 2024 years and help guarantee monitoring. On February 5, they received a green light, and now the most expensive space observatory will soon be used for planetary defense purposes.
The idea that there is even the slightest chance that 2024 YR4 can put us in danger to create anxiety. But thanks to the planetary defenders of NASA, ESA and beyond, the world has never been safer of dangerous asteroids – and with continuous investments in their staff and their technology, the eight billions of us will remain protected for future generations.