NASA finds near-Earth object during test of new detection system

NPR : For several years NASA has been operating an asteroid tracking system called Sentry, which is identifying and tracking all near-Earth objects (NEOs) in the solar system that pass through Earth’s orbit and are large enough to wipe out a major city. Now the agency is testing a similar system called Scout, which is designed to identify and track NEOs smaller than the 140 m diameter that is Sentry’s threshold. NASA has contracts with multiple telescopes around the globe to scan the skies for such objects. When one is detected, Scout makes a rough calculation of the object’s apparent path. If there is a chance of impact with Earth, the system calls for other telescopes to make follow-up observations. On 25 October the Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System in Hawaii spotted an NEO, which Scout determined would pass Earth at a distance of around 500 000 km. Subsequent observations confirmed the calculation and allowed for an estimate of the diameter. On 30 October the small asteroid passed Earth without incident.