Latest news with #LagrangePoints
Sustainability Times
06-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'They're Hiding in the Sun's Glare': Astronomers Detect Giant Asteroids Near Venus That Could Someday Strike Earth
IN A NUTSHELL 🌌 Recent studies reveal that a hidden population of co-orbital asteroids near Venus might eventually shift closer to Earth. near Venus might eventually shift closer to Earth. 🔭 These asteroids, residing in gravitationally stable Lagrange points , exhibit unpredictable orbits over millennia. , exhibit unpredictable orbits over millennia. 🚀 The upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory and NASA's NEO Surveyor are expected to enhance detection capabilities. and NASA's are expected to enhance detection capabilities. 🌍 Understanding and monitoring these asteroids is crucial for assessing any potential long-term risks to our planet. In the vast expanse of our solar system, hidden populations of celestial bodies often go unnoticed. Among these are a group of asteroids known as co-orbitals, which share their path with Venus around the Sun. While their existence has been acknowledged for years, recent studies suggest that some of these asteroids might eventually take a course leading them closer to Earth. Although there is no immediate threat, this revelation emphasizes the importance of keeping a vigilant eye on these elusive objects. Unpredictable Orbits The co-orbital asteroids of Venus reside in gravitationally stable regions known as Lagrange points. According to simulations, these asteroids can develop unstable trajectories over periods exceeding 12,000 years, potentially adopting elongated orbits that increase their likelihood of intersecting with Earth's orbit. Among the 20 identified co-orbitals, three have been projected to approach our planet. These projections, shared in the journal Icarus, pertain to asteroids measuring between 984 and 1,312 feet in diameter. While their size categorizes them as potentially hazardous, none pose a threat for several millennia. The gravitational disturbances these asteroids experience lead to chaotic paths over the long term. A secondary study, currently under review, reinforces this instability even for orbits that initially appear to be less eccentric. This unpredictable nature makes understanding their movements critical for assessing any future risk they might pose to Earth. 'NASA Unveils Cosmic Spectacle': Stunning New Images and Sounds of Andromeda Galaxy Leave Astronomers in Absolute Awe Complex Detection Challenges Detecting these asteroids is a challenging endeavor due to their proximity to the Sun. Terrestrial telescopes can only observe them briefly during twilight hours, with solar brightness and atmospheric distortion significantly hindering detection efforts. However, future advancements in technology promise to revolutionize this search. The upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile is poised to transform asteroid detection. With its extensive field of view and enhanced sensitivity, it could uncover thousands of new asteroids, including those concealed near Venus. Complementing these efforts, a space-based infrared telescope like NASA's NEO Surveyor would bypass atmospheric interference, providing a clearer picture. These tools are expected to offer a more accurate assessment of any potential risks. Currently, scientists reiterate that there is no immediate threat from these celestial wanderers. 'We Finally Found It': Scientists Reveal the Missing Half of the Universe's Matter Was Hiding in Plain Sight All Along Future Implications and Preparedness The potential for these co-orbital asteroids to alter their paths and come closer to Earth raises important questions about planetary defense and preparedness. While the immediate danger is non-existent, understanding their movements could be crucial in the distant future. The unpredictable nature of their orbits suggests that continued monitoring and research are necessary. By expanding our observational capabilities and refining our understanding of these celestial objects, we can better prepare for any eventualities. The studies underscore the need for international collaboration in tracking and analyzing these asteroids. As we advance our technological capabilities, the hope is to mitigate any long-term risks they might pose to our planet. 'Trees Are Poisoning the Air': Shocking New Study Reveals Natural Plant Defenses May Be Making Pollution Worse Enhancing Our Observational Arsenal To effectively monitor these elusive asteroids, the astronomical community is turning to innovative technologies and methods. The combination of ground-based observatories like the Vera Rubin Observatory and space-based instruments such as the NEO Surveyor is expected to significantly enhance our ability to detect and track these asteroids. These advancements will not only improve our understanding of the asteroids' trajectories but also help refine models predicting their future paths. With a more comprehensive observational arsenal, scientists aim to provide earlier warnings of any potential threats and formulate strategies to address them. This proactive approach is essential for ensuring the safety of our planet in the centuries to come. As we continue to explore the mysteries of our solar system, the presence of these hidden asteroids reminds us of the dynamic nature of the cosmos. While current observations assure us of no imminent threat, the question remains: how can we further enhance our capabilities to safeguard Earth from the unknowns of space? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.7/5 (29)
Irish Times
15-05-2025
- Science
- Irish Times
The James Webb Telescope: Viewing the Universe from Lagrange Point L2
There are five sweet spots where a spacecraft can keep pace with Earth as both orbit the Sun. They are called the Lagrange points, after the brilliant French mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange who found special solutions to what is called the 'three-body problem'. To locate the second Lagrange point, L2, draw a line 150 million km from Sun to Earth and extend it by about one per cent. Normally an object orbiting the Sun farther out than Earth takes longer than a year to complete a cycle. But at L2 the gravitational forces of Sun and Earth combine to speed things up, so a spacecraft placed there moves in synchrony with the Earth, all three objects remaining in a straight line. Keeping the object close to Earth allows for faster communications and higher data volumes. Space telescopes The Hubble Space Telescope has been orbiting Earth for 35 years and continues to provide remarkable images of space. Hubble has led to major breakthroughs in astronomy. It has enabled us to determine the accelerating expansion rate of the universe and pin down its age to about 13.7 billion years. Hubble should continue to operate for at least another decade. READ MORE It orbits at about 550km above the Earth's surface and much of the sky is eclipsed by the planet as the telescope moves in and out of Earth shadow every 90 minutes. On Christmas Day, 2021, a successor to Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST or Webb), was launched. Unlike Hubble, Webb orbits the Sun about 1.5 million km beyond Earth at L2, providing an unimpeded view of the sky. [ Life beyond our solar system? Scientists claim 'strongest evidence' so far Opens in new window ] [ Ireland's astronomical observatories to be put forward for international recognition from Unesco Opens in new window ] Webb observes in the infrared spectrum and can detect objects 100 times fainter than Hubble. Its main objectives are to study how the first galaxies formed and evolved after the Big Bang, the birth of stars and planetary systems and the origins of life. Its mirror, with 18 hexagonal gold-plated segments, has a 6.5-metre diameter, considerably larger than that of the Hubble Space Telescope. The first image from Webb was revealed by US president Joe Biden in July 2022. Location and orbit An object placed exactly at the L2 Lagrange point would be permanently in the shadow of the Earth, cutting off the Sun as a source of power. So Webb has been placed in a halo orbit, following an elliptical path of width about 830,000km around the line from the Sun through L2, so that it avoids being eclipsed by either the Earth or Moon. This ensures uninterrupted solar power and Earth communications on its sun-facing side. Its sun-shield is oriented so that the temperature of the spacecraft remains constant at a cool 50 Kelvin (minus 223 degrees), crucial for observation in the infrared spectrum. Launching Webb to L2 was like cycling to the top of a hill by pedalling furiously at the beginning of the climb, generating enough speed to coast uphill and come to a halt near the top. Although an object placed at L2 is in equilibrium, the balance of forces is metastable and a small disturbance will cause it to gradually drift away into its own solar orbit and lose contact with Earth. However, a spacecraft can be kept near L2 with minimal energy, remaining in line with Earth as it orbits the Sun. The telescope is not intended to be serviced in space but, with relatively little rocket thrust needed to keep it on station at L2, Webb should remain operational for 20 years or more. Peter Lynch is emeritus professor at the School of Mathematics & Statistics, University College Dublin. He blogs at
