Discovery of 27,500 Overlooked Space Rocks by Asteroid Hunters
Researchers developed an algorithm that sifts through old pictures of the night sky to discover asteroids, finding 27,500 new solar system bodies, including 100 near-Earth asteroids. The algorithm could aid in planetary defense efforts to spot potentially dangerous asteroids. The discovery marks a significant advancement in astronomical research.
Key Points
- Algorithm sifts through old pictures of the night sky to find asteroids
- 27,500 new solar system bodies identified, more than telescopes found last year
- Discovery includes 100 near-Earth asteroids
- Algorithm could help in planetary defense efforts to identify dangerous asteroids
- Algorithm connects dots of light in different images to identify moving objects
- Google Cloud used for computational tasks
- Improvements in software tools make it easier to tap into computing power
- THOR algorithm could enhance the operations of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile
- Rubin telescope may cover more sky area with the help of THOR algorithm
- Possibility to meet Congress mandate to locate 90% of near-Earth asteroids 460 feet or larger
Pros
- Discovery of 27,500 new solar system bodies including 100 near-Earth asteroids
- Algorithm could aid in planetary defense efforts to spot potentially dangerous asteroids
- Significant advancement in astronomical research