astronomer using Zwicky Temporary Facility (ZTF) investigated. Taurus resonance groupa large interplanetary system containing Comet 2P/Encke, several meteor showers, and possibly numerous near-Earth asteroids.
This image taken by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows comet 2P/Encke running along a pebble trail of its debris. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / University of Minnesota.
“We can take advantage of the unique opportunity that this asteroid swarm has to approach Earth to more efficiently search for celestial objects that may pose a threat to Earth,” said Dr. Kuanji Ye, an astronomer at the University of Maryland. ” he said.
“Our results suggest that the risk of impact from large asteroids in the Taurus group is much lower than we thought, which is good news for planetary defense.”
Prior to this study, astronomers had predicted that the Taurus resonance complex contained a significant number of large kilometer-sized space rocks, probably left behind by large objects up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) wide. I was guessing.
If a large object were to hit Earth, like the Chelyabinsk asteroid in 2013, it could cause regional damage.
Even larger objects can cause extinction-level events, like the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs more than 66 million years ago.
“Fortunately, we found that there are likely only a small number of asteroids in this large size class, perhaps only nine to 14, in this population,” Dr. Ye said.
“Judging by our findings, the parent object that first spawned the swarm was probably closer to 10 km (6.2 miles) in diameter, rather than a giant 100 km diameter object.”
“We still need to be cautious about asteroid impacts, but knowing this result will probably help us sleep better.”
The Taurus swarm holds important clues about planetary evolution, especially because of its association with Comet Encke.
This comet has the shortest orbital period of any known comet, at just 3.3 years.
It is also unusually large and dusty for a short-period comet that orbits the sun within 200 years.
Considering all available evidence, scientists believe that Encke has experienced significant fragmentation in the past and may continue to do so in the future.
“Studying the Taurus swarm helps us understand how small objects like comets and asteroids form and break up over time,” said Dr. Ye.
“Our research has implications not only for asteroid detection and planetary defense, but also for our broader understanding of the solar system's celestial bodies.”
The researchers presented their findings. findings this week's DPS56Annual Meeting of the Planetary Science Division of the American Astronomical Society.
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Yosenshi others. 2024. In search of potentially dangerous asteroids in the Taurus resonance group. DPS56
Source: www.sci.news
