A skyscraper-size asteroid was revealed in year-old telescope data thanks to a new algorithm that could rock the way near-Earth objects are discovered.
Astronomers have discovered a massive, skyscraper-size asteroid hiding in plain sight near Earth, thanks to a new algorithm designed to hunt the biggest, deadliest space rocks.
The asteroid made a close approach to Earth in September 2022, when it flew within about 4.5 million miles of our planet, according to NASA. Yet astronomers around the world failed to detect the asteroid in telescope data at any point before, during or after the approach, as the large rock was obscured by Milky Way starlight.
Now, researchers have finally revealed the space rock's existence while testing out a new algorithm that's tailor-made to detect large asteroids from small fragments of data. The detection of a PHA that's too sneaky for traditional methods to spot represents a huge vindication for the algorithm, which will soon be used to comb over data gathered by the Vera C.
To ensnare their first asteroid, the scientists put their algorithm to the test on archival data from the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System survey in Hawaii, which takes at least four images of the same spot of the sky every night. The search revealed something that ATLAS had missed: a large asteroid, visible in three separate sky images taken on Sept. 19, 2022, and the three following nights.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
New algorithm spots its first 'potentially hazardous' near-Earth asteroid — and it's 600 feet longThe algorithm will eventually be used at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a survey telescope being built in Chile.
Lire la suite »
New algorithm spots 'potentially hazardous' 600-foot asteroidArmed with this promising new tool, a cutting-edge observatory in Chile will sweep the cosmos for all sorts of transient objects.
Lire la suite »
'Potentially Hazardous' Asteroid Spotted by Algorithm Won't Hit EarthHumanity has been on an asteroid-finding spree as of late.
Lire la suite »
Subaru souhaite vendre 600 000 VÉ par année d’ici 2030 | Actualités automobile | Auto123Subaru souhaite vendre en moyenne 600 000 véhicules électriques par année d’ici l’année 2030. Auto123 a les détails.
Lire la suite »
Juvenile injured in Tuesday night Montgomery shootingA shooting in the 600 block of Hillsboro Road is under investigation by Montgomery police.
Lire la suite »
Writers Guild, Hollywood Studios to Potentially Resume Negotiations Amid Ongoing StrikesAfter three months, Hollywood studios are finally ready to discuss contract negotiations with the Writers Guild of America.
Lire la suite »