Asteroid Exploration
By Ningthoujam Dipak Singh
Cosmofluencer (Season 2)
An asteroid is a small, rocky body that orbits the Sun. It is too small to be classified as a planet, and most asteroids do not have a round, planet-like shape. The majority of asteroids are found within the asteroid belt, situated between the planets Mars and Jupiter. These celestial objects are remnants of the early formation of our solar system.
Why Explore Asteroids?
Asteroid objects pose a considerable risk to Earth, as their collisions can have devastating consequences for life on our planet. However, exploring asteroids offers valuable opportunities for scientific research and understanding the formation of our solar system. This knowledge can be used to protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts and may lead to exciting space exploration and resource use in the future.
Asteroid Exploration: Key Motives
- To know the formation of the solar system.
- To protect Earth from the potential hazard of asteroid collisions.
- For education and inspiration.
A. To Learn about the Formation of the Solar System
Asteroids are considered relics from the early solar system, and studying them can provide valuable insights into how our solar system formed and evolved over time. Scientists and researchers can examine the composition and characteristics of asteroids to learn more about the processes that took place during the early stages of the solar system’s origin and development.
B. To protect Earth from the potential hazard of asteroid collisions.
When the orbits of asteroids go awry due to Earth’s gravitational pull, asteroids can collide with our planet, causing devastating consequences for living beings. Therefore, by exploring asteroids, we can gain a better understanding of their orbits and identify those that pose a potential threat to Earth. Additionally, we can develop spacecraft like DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) to protect our planet from such impacts.
DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) is a NASA spacecraft with a mission to test a method for defending Earth against potential asteroid impacts. It aims to demonstrate that by redirecting an asteroid’s path, we can protect our planet from future asteroid threats and it also represents an important step in advancing safeguarding Earth from asteroid collisions.
C. For education and inspiration
As we engage in asteroid exploration and research, we uncover the mysteries of how these celestial objects form and estimate their age. This journey encourages a deep curiosity that fuels further research and the development of spacecraft and missions for exploration.
For those passionate about space, exploring asteroids becomes a fulfilling career, offering opportunities for scientific discoveries, technological progress, and the chance to expand our understanding of the cosmos.
Conclusion
In conclusion, exploring asteroids is like embarking on a thrilling space adventure. We’ve uncovered what these space rocks are and why they grab our attention. They hold secrets about the genesis of our cosmic neighbourhood and what lies ahead.
Studying asteroids isn’t just for scientists; it’s an exciting journey for everyone. It’s like unlocking the door to a whole new part of the universe. Whether you’re a space facts enthusiast or a dreamer picturing the stars, delving into asteroids feels like taking a big step into the mysteries of space and creating our cosmic story.
References
- Wikipedia | OSIRIS-REx
- National Geographic | Why NASA plans to slam a spacecraft into an asteroid