- uploaded: Oct 17, 2012 - Hits: 1495 Near Earth Object Program
are involved in identifying objects that are a potential threat
to our planet. The asteroid Apophis which passes close to Earth
in 2029 will be closely watched, as on its "resonant return" in
2036, there is a slim chance it could impact Earth. With enough
warning, we could actually nudge an asteroid out of our path, he
said, noting that one possible method is using a "gravity
tracker," which would hover near the surface of the object, and
alter its course. Near-Earth meteoroids Near-Earth meteoroids
are smaller near-Earth asteroids having an estimated diameter
less than 50 meters. They are listed as asteroids on most
asteroid tables. The JPL Small-Body Database lists 1349 near
Earth asteroids with an absolute magnitude (H) dimmer than 25
(roughly 50 meters in diameter). The smallest known near-Earth
meteoroid is 2008 TS26 with an absolute magnitude of 33 and
estimated size of only 1 meter. Near-Earth asteroids WISE Finds
Fewer Asteroids near Eart