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NASA
The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, shown in this artist's conception, made a survey of the entire sky in mid-infrared wavelengths.
Scientists laid out the results of an all-sky asteroid survey conducted by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE. Sorry, no Planet X has been discovered yet ... which is good news, come to think of it. "Planet X is not coming to get us," said Amy Mainzer, principal investigator for the probe's NEOWISE mission.
The even better news is that there appear to be significantly fewer threatening near-Earth objects than previously thought. "We believe that the hazard to the earth may be somewhat less," Mainzer. an astronomer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, reported today during a news briefing at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Mainzer and her colleagues shared all this good news after taking the most accurate census to date of the asteroids in Earth's orbital vicinity, within 120 million miles (195 kilometers) of the sun. Results from NEOWISE (which stands for Near-Earth Object WISE) are being published in The Astrophysical Journal, with Mainzer as lead author.
WISE was launched in 2009 to scan the full sky twice in infrared wavelengths, which provide a clearer picture of dark asteroids than visible-light observations — just as infrared-sensing goggles improve a soldier's night vision on Earth.
The space telescope observed more than 100,000 asteroids in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter, plus at least 585 near Earth. That sampling was sufficient to produce an estimate of how many asteroids of various sizes exist in the target area — just as a population census provides a good demographic picture even though the census-takers didn't knock on every door.
NASA / JPL-Caltech
NEOWISE observations indicate there are at least 40 percent fewer near-Earth asteroids in total that are larger than 100 meters (330 feet). Our solar system's four inner planets are shown in green, with the sun in the center. Each red dot represents one asteroid. Object sizes are not to scale.
Mainzer said the WISE results confirmed that astronomers worldwide "have now found more than 90 percent" of the near-Earth asteroids that are wider than a kilometer (0.6 miles). That's the sort of space rock that scientists believe could create a mass-extinction event of the type that killed off the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. The NEOWISE team's computer model suggests that there are 981 of such asteroids, compared with previous estimates of around 1,000. Astronomers currently have identified 911 of these "planet-buster" asteroids, none of which pose a threat to Earth over the next few centuries.
The 90 percent figure is important because Congress specified that figure in 1998 as the initial goal for NASA's Spaceguard program.
"The risk of a really large asteroid impacting the Earth before we could find and warn of it has been substantially reduced," Tim Spahr, the director of the Minor Planet Center at the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, said in NASA's news release.
However ... there's another category of bad-news asteroids, ranging in size from 100 meters (330 feet) to a kilometer in width. These midsize rocks could wipe out a metropolitan area or create a "cosmic Katrina" if they were to hit in just the wrong place. The NEOWISE team estimated that there are 19,500 of such rocks in the near-Earth zone.
The good news is, that's a significantly smaller figure than previous estimates of 35,000 midsize near-Earth objects. The bad news is, astronomers are currently tracking 5,500 asteroids in that size range, which suggests that 14,000 or so remain to be detected. And there are an estimated million asteroids smaller than 100 meters capable of causing lesser amounts of damage if they were to blast through Earth's atmosphere.
In 2005, Congress revised the Spaceguard Survey's initial goal to call on NASA to find 90 percent of the near-Earth objects that are at least 140 meters (460 feet) wide, and Mainzer said tracking down all those rocks is "going to keep us busy for a long time."
"NEOWISE was just the latest asset NASA has used to find Earth's nearest neighbors," Lindley Johnson, program executive for the Near Earth Object Observation Program at NASA Headquarters, said in today's release. "The results complement ground-based observer efforts over the past 12 years. These observers continue to track these objects and find even more."
NASA / JPL-Caltech
This chart shows how data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has led to revisions in the estimated population of near-Earth asteroids. Each of the rocks shown here represents 100 near-Earth asteroids detected in space.
During today's briefing, Johnson said the results of asteroid surveys would feed into NASA's plans to send astronauts to a near-Earth asteroid sometime in the mid-2020s. In fact, the asteroids that come closest to Earth and pose more of a potential threat would be of "particular interest for exploration destinations," he said.
As for Planet X, or Nibiru, or Nemesis ... Mainzer said there's not been any sign of a large object that could bring about a doomsday in 2012 or anytime soon. "We don't think that there's anything hazardous in the outer solar system," she said.
But that doesn't mean there's nothing interesting out there. Mainzer pointed out that the $320 million WISE mission has already detected 100 brown dwarfs in Earth's vicinity, including some of the coldest brown dwarfs ever seen. Although the WISE spacecraft was shut down earlier this year, the data analysis continues, and there's still a chance that other strange cosmic objects could come to light.
"We're still working on that now," Mainzer said.
More about asteroids:
- Hunt for new worlds goes into overdrive
- Interactive: The new solar system
- Asteroid early-warning system proposed
- Interactive: Close encounters of the asteroid kind
Last updated 5:42 p.m. ET.
Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter or adding me to your Google+ circle. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for other worlds.
Leave a Comment:
This goes to show that science theories are only that, theories. Nothing is ever carved in stone. Just keep the faith that God is watching over all of us. The scientists are watching over us too. It may be their job, I'm sorry to say to worry about what may be falling from the skies. It also could be that the dinosaurs died from the same natural causes that cause many animals to become extinct due to a change in their environment. It may not have come from outer space. There are scientists that have a problem with the theory that the dinosaurs were killed off by a meteor explosion on earth because the problems we have now with our environment did not come from outer space. Global warming appears to be man-made.
Does this same god of yours "design" these killer asteroids that occasionally slam into the Earth (killing much of her life)?
The sun will eventually die (as all suns do), and take out earth with it. Did this god design and plan that too?
Dear Chad:
It's all part of the plan or nothing could evolve or be created. There is birth and there is death. That is nature. How are you coping with it? Do you lose sleep over it? I don't.
Dear Red.
That's an awful lot of assumed psychology to project upon a few of my words.
First, evolution has nothing to do with creation. These are two separate entities.
Second, I think it's pretty obvious that neither of us "know" if there is a god ... or if it has a "plan" for us.
Yet, you seem perfectly willing to not only define this plan, but tell us he's actually watching out for us. I wonder which of us has issues of "copping" here?
Lastly, I sleep pretty well at night. Although my dog can sometimes make navigating the bed a bit interesting.
Dear Chad:
Your rebuttal sounds a little strange. Your dog must be keeping you up at night scratching fleas. Also, you spelled coping wrong. It is not copping. It is coping.
Dear Red Wolf,
Thanks. how could I have ever added an extra "p" to a word?
You should just ignore everything I said. Oh wait ... you already did.
As for your flea comment regarding my dog. You're probably right. The other day I caught him making this Red Wolf his b$%#@.
Dear Chad:
You've got quite a dog. I must say! Except if he sleeps in your bed, how do you know that he doesn't like Chad meat?
I think you two should get a room and leave the science to the rest of us.
Yes, and he eats little Wolfs for breakfast.
Skip, I think we are all familiar with your "science".
Dear Chad:
Now, leave Skip alone. He's got a point. We're not behaving.
Oh, I don't harp on Skip for that last post ... we go way back.
He has a long history of setting up strawman arguments and caricaturing people's positions .... all the while propping up his own "sense of self."
I think post 1.7 highlights his own illusions of grandeur quite nicely.
MOI?
"My science"?????
Well, my tiny Monkey/Lizard brain can only wrap itself around little bitty tiny pieces of information at single sitting and I admit a lot of the details "whoosh" right over my poor little head.
I have tremendous respect for those boys and girls with the great big giant brains who are able to produce the technology that brings us this information even if my tiny brain can only comprehend the single syllable words.
But, despite my limited cognition and lack of science aptitude, I still try to keep my opinions and pitiful observations on topic. Unlike some people I could name, today, on this very blog.
Ok, I'm talking about you two! Chad and Red Wolf. YOU!
Now take it to a private chat room or you'll frighten the folks with the pocket protectors before they have a chance to give us some intelligent responses to the article.
Skip,
If you find the mode of commentary here offensive, off-topic, or simply not to your standards, perhaps you'd be more comfortable reading scientific journals and published reports from scientists? That is of course only if you need to be reminded you're on an open-public news feed?
The posts of people highlighting "their" displeasure and "their" opinion on how other people are off-topic creates much more congestion and tiresome reading than the people actually engaged in conversation (regardless of how trivial you may find the dialogue).
It's about as useful as the people who read an article, then comment how it shouldn't be a story.
It Is Very Good To Know That There Is No Big Rock Coming To Take Us Out, But I Most Say, If We Get Taken Out, It Will Be By Are Own Hand, And/ Or By Our Own Ignorance.
Tom And Lyn Thomasp671
Alan, can you explain to me how the comments above were derived from this article?
I'm baffled.
Back on topic, I don't worry about this issue. The Mayans say we won't be around to celebrate New Years 2013 so, what the heck, my wife and I don't get out much anyway. But I did enjoy reading the article and I marvel at all the technology that brings us this knowledge. These are truly amazing times in which we live.
Keep up the good work.
Skip,
I should think that question answers itself.
The god hypothesis (if correct) would have major ramifications on not just our understanding of the universe, but also provide greater answers for "why" perfectly designed systems (such as Earth) reside in a shooting gallery of ELE objects.
Oh sweet Jesus, they're following me.
Get away from me. "God hypothesis" Jesus wept. Gimme a break. Go argue with the wolf.
I'm just trying to absorb a little bit of knowledge.
Like I said, get a room!
see #1.12
Dear Chad:
Did you hear me? Get a life!
It's one of the mysteries of the universe, Skip ... maybe someone strayed over here from the item downstairs, about Richard Dawkins. ;-)
HAHAHHA, another laugh out loud moment. Thanks Alan.
Dear Chad:
Now, I told you to leave Skip alone. Behave yourself. If you don't, take Skip's advice and get a room with your dog!
Wolf,
you know that guy that keeps posting reply after reply ... even when no one replies back? Yeah ... you're that guy.
Dear Chad:
I've never heard of anybody needing as much attention as you. Did you read when I told you to get a life? As a matter of fact if you think I post blog after blog, you should read your own. I saw inside your blogging file. I'll give you some more advice. If you like writing these blogs, next thing you need to do is get an education.
Wolf
This isn't a "blog".
It's a news thread. Where people come to share ideas and thoughts.
Yes, I've commented on many stories. If you've visited my page, you've probably seen that I've even accumulated friends throughout the years as well. From the looks of our time-stamped "start-up" dates (it appears we are close to the same Vine age.) But, I've noticed you have no friends. I can't say that I'm surprised.
You've done nothing but post combative comments towards me, and even stooped to claiming my dog has fleas. Which I found humorous. But you then resort to more combative language. In essence, you've shown to have zero sense of humor, even when someone tries to take your swipes in stride.
Then you attack my education?
Sheesh .... you seem to have some pseudo-masculinity issues. Tone it down a bit bud. You have nothing to prove here.
So Alan, even though it is speculated that the earth will not be hit with any large life obliterating astroids, at least not in our lifetimes, what if one such astroid actually does manage to happen upon a crash course with earth? Do we currently know or have anyways of slowing down or stopping said astroid?
Chad/Redwolf, go to bed
riveting
opinions are like butt holes, everybodys got one....and as for asteroids, it only takes one to ruin the planets day...just ask the dinosaurs
Dear Steve:
Not if you're Jupiter. That planet absorbs everything flying around in space. It's there to protect us and our atmosphere protects us from most of the rest of the space debris.
Jupiter uses Preparation 'A' - it relieves the pain and burning of asteroids on contact
Dear Doug:
That's funny! You've got quite a creative imagination. It's what I needed at the end of my very hectic day here in the pressure cooker they laughingly call my place of work.
Although it's good to know that there are less, let's all remember that these #'s being thrown around are STILL estimates!! All it takes is one to make the Earth have a bad day!! Doesn't mean I'm expecting it, but ,there ya are. (Not TOO paranoid!!LOL)
Alan,
I watched the news conference live the other day and heard you ask your question. I was glad you asked (even though it was about NEOWISE asteroids) because it is not hard to see all the Internet chatter these days on this hypothetical brown dwarf star; which MSNBC has previously reported on, and other outlets have since the early 80's.
I have to ask though, with all due respect, why did you ask in the way you did? I know its a hot topic on the Internet; but you asked about planet X and "if it was coming to get us next year". Isn't that considered leading, the antithesis of being objective? In fact, the very first thing you address in your article from the news conference yesterday is Planet X; and you quote Ms. Mainzer as saying "Planet X is not coming to get us". That quote has your agenda written all over it because Ms. Mainzer just basically repeated your question in the form of an answer. Was it your intent to be able to write seriously about Planet X when you called in? I am just confused because your tone was very dismissive...you can tell just by the way you choose to phrase the question. I am wondering if you could clear this up. I am interested in your thought process, because all-in-all, it seemed like a futile attempt at asking any serious questions or getting real answers.
Thank you.
Yeah, Alan!! how dare you be dismissive of planet "X"??!!LOL
Well then, why did he even bother calling in and asking about it, considering it wasn't even on topic? At any rate...so your response is just to make fun...? Because you're ignorant on the research and data? Ok.
There are plenty of articles that have been put out my NASA in the past on Nemesis and such, and discoveries outside our solar system (can be found out nasa gov website)...and outlets like Fox and MSNBC have reported this...all easy to find if you wanted to look rather than laugh.
OK, I'll look. I'm just trying to have fun here, OK. But!!! be warned, I've been a science/astronomy buff for about 30 years, I know a few professional astronomers, AND I do not take anything lightly. If I come back later and HAMMER you, be assured it'll be with FACTS!! Have a nice day....--S--
Hiya Heather! And greetings as always to Stephen!
I'd consider the question of Nemesis - whether our Sun has a companion red dwarf star that occasionally (a time scale of millions of years) on its elliptical orbit comes close enough to "our" part of the Solar System to cause trouble - to be a "frontier question" (pardon the pun); meaning that it's a very interesting question that lacks sufficient evidence to prove or disprove.
It was indeed hoped that WISE would be able to put the question to rest, either yea or nay, hence the appropriateness of Alan's question at the briefing. No such data has to my knowledge yet come to light (another pun - I'm on a roll!), so Nemesis is still an open question.
Good day to all, So far all I've seen (albeit only internet research)is all conjecture on the skimpiest of evidence. Yes, some of it seems intregueing, But there's no solid evidence presented. Sorry there Heather, but I DID say I'd hammer ya, and seems I gotta go to the tool box.....(I'll miss on purpose-I'm actually a good guy)
I guess we just had the K O D applied.......................
Well that's good news! Most articles that come from MSNBC are pretty downright depressing. In all reality do we need to be told we have an unstoppable asteroid hurdling towards earth? There's not much we can do to avoid it. Ignorance is bliss :)
Planet X not found ??
haha more lies. it was found back in 2008.
heres some proof
your proof, like your claims, is empty of content.
No link there LG, try again please.
No, Stephen, I agree with Knight.
LG's post is already a perfect representation of his proof.