Asteroids and Sounds from Space
The above image, brought to us by the very cool folks at Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland, is an up-to-date map of our inner solar system. The map displays the orbits of the 4 terrestrial planets in our system, with the Earth’s orbit being highlighted in bright blue — because we think it’s kinda special.
In this image, the small green points mark the location of asteroids which do not approach close to the Earth right now. (This is subject to change.) The yellow objects are Earth approaching asteroids which are called Amors. Amors have orbits which come close to the Earth without actually crossing the Earth’s orbit. Their orbits are, however, close enough that they could potentially be perturbed by the influence of the planets. (There are over 300 known objects on such orbits.)
And the red boxes? These mark the location of the Apollo and Aten asteroids. These asteroids DO cross the Earth’s orbit and are the most directly identifiable astronomical threat for the near future. Keep in mind, this is a current map — updated daily. It shows the estimated position of thousands of known asteroids. Astronomers at Armagh remind us, however, that even conservative estimates would suggest that for every asteroid on a Earth-approaching orbit there are hundreds more which have yet to be discovered. It’s estimated that there are perhaps 100,000 to 1,000,000 undiscovered asteroids on similar Earth crossing orbits.
If NASA never deflects #2012DA14 and it hits Earth one day, we’ll confirm that humans possess a lethal absence of foresight. - Tweeted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Feb 15, 2013.
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And, to help us wash the not entirely uncool taste of asteroid from our mouths, and for anyone who missed this, here’s the first ever space-to-earth musical collaboration! Featuring Canadian Space Agency astronaut, and Expedition 34 flight engineer, Chris Hadfield, Barenaked Ladies, and Canada’s Wexford Gleeks choir, the song is titled I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing), and is VERY cool! Chris Hadfield, who will become Expedition 35′s commander next month, is quickly becoming a big-time hero in my eyes. If you’re not following him on twitter you’re missing some of the most incredible Earth-from-Space images EVER! Do we really need much more proof than this to know that the Canadians are SO much cooler than us Americans?!
Wow! Beautiful music from so far away. And the words can be taken literally
I LOVE! the music you are sharing with us Alex.
February 17, 2013 at 9:06 am
Isn’t it a fantastic song, Colline? I’ll admit that it made me a bit teary-eyed when listening to the lyrics for the first time.
February 17, 2013 at 9:40 am
And I thought my old commute had a lot of traffic!
Loved that song, everything about it.
February 17, 2013 at 10:31 am
LOL! It does seem a bit busy out there Guapo.
And I agree about the song.
February 17, 2013 at 6:36 pm
I’ve heard a bit about the two events this week, but I was looking forward to your take on it. And, I’m not disappointed to say the very least. I knew you’d put it all in perspective, but, I had no idea you’d throw in this wonderful musical collaboration! I agree that the Canadians are way cooler and more laid back than we are! Thanks, Alex. I loved this!
February 17, 2013 at 10:35 am
Friday was DEFINITELY an exciting day George! Unfortunately, I was too busy to post about it…but I was following both events closely. I thought today a bit too late to post about it, but did think this map of other near-Earth objects to be very interesting, and more than a bit mind blowing. I’m glad you enjoyed the song. I’m thrilled with the thought of humans doing every day things, such as playing music, in space.
February 17, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Assume video and song .. many thanks …. of course I’m also hoping that you stop by today.
February 17, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Hey there Frank, I’m glad you enjoyed the song!
February 17, 2013 at 6:54 pm
…and let’s not forget folks… the number of professional people searching for Near Earth Objects and Potentially Hazardous Asteroids world-wide is probably about the same number of people who staff your local McDonalds. So the first warning you’ll get of an impending collision will be when you see the flash of light, hear the boom and see a streak of fire across the sky.
That’ll keep you awake tonight
…oh wait… it’s already happened, hasn’t it? Hmmmmm.
February 17, 2013 at 10:33 pm
It doesn’t keep me awake nights Richard, but then again…there isn’t much that does.
Wake up calls are only scary if no one heeds the call. Hopefully, this one will generate more interest. We can’t blame the international space agencies when the population in general pays more attention to, and places more value in, ‘reality’ TV and conspiracy theories rather than scientific research and discovery. This said, I’m convinced education and awareness are far more valuable tool towards this endeavor than alarmism. (I could be wrong!)
February 19, 2013 at 9:44 am
Love the song and particularly the idea of the link-up. The map is a bit scary though, there’s a LOT of stuff whizzing around out there!
February 18, 2013 at 5:54 am
I was surprised that an Earth-Space music collaboration could take place with no delay, very cool!
And no, there’s nothing really scary about the map. Knowing what’s out there is not nearly as scary as not knowing.
February 19, 2013 at 5:41 am
Unless we don’t know that we don’t know – oh dear I’m turning into Donald Rumsfeld again
February 19, 2013 at 6:42 am
LOL! Again? Is this something you do often?
February 19, 2013 at 8:21 am
I think once is probably too often for that, but I have to admit to a soft spot for that quote
February 19, 2013 at 8:39 am
I think I prefer Copernicus’ quote on the same subject.
February 19, 2013 at 8:49 am
I think that’s where Rumsfeld stole the idea.
February 19, 2013 at 9:11 am
LOL! Or attempted to…
February 19, 2013 at 9:57 am
The taste of asteroid isn’t that bad – it’s just a bit rich.
February 18, 2013 at 6:52 am
Definitely an acquired taste Josh.
February 19, 2013 at 5:41 am
Not so much an acquired taste as acquired riches.
February 19, 2013 at 7:36 am
That’s a taste I could get use to…I mean given the opportunity!
February 19, 2013 at 8:38 am
That’s a lot of red dots! I think you are bringing all your followers to a higher state of awareness! (you always make me feel more informed when I leave here) You know whenever I hear about ANYTHING space related, asteroid, meteor, etc. I automatically think of you and wonder what your opinion on it is going to be….that’s pretty darn cool! And I can definitely see why you love the song – it was very personal and heartfelt. Great post!
February 18, 2013 at 8:39 am
Wow Chica, to be thought of in regards to anything space related is indeed pretty darn cool! I’ll take it! The song does have special meaning to me, especially its lyrics. It focuses on yet one more of the wondrous things we humans ARE doing. I think it goes without saying that I’m a huge fan of the ISS. It’s International! It’s in space (well low-Earth orbit)! And it’s a station conducting experiments while it orbits the planet. Really, what’s not to love?
February 19, 2013 at 8:37 am
The image from Armagh Observatory is truly scary.
February 18, 2013 at 11:07 am
I prefer to think of it as interesting, Richard.
February 19, 2013 at 8:50 am
Love the song! This is a very scary image!! Yikes!!
February 18, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Not scary Suzanne! Think of every one of those dots as opportunities to study and learn more not only about asteroids, but also about our own world.
February 19, 2013 at 8:53 am
When I look at all of that, I’m struck EVERY TIME by the fact that our planet is so abundant with life…just amazing!!
February 19, 2013 at 10:55 am
Suzanne, are you sure you want to use the word ‘struck’ when discussing asteroids?
Just asking…..
February 19, 2013 at 6:01 pm
lololol…I retract that remark!
February 19, 2013 at 6:34 pm
LOL!!!
February 19, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Fascinating/ terrifying post, Alex. I’m amazed there haven’t been more incidents like the one in Russia last week.
February 19, 2013 at 8:11 am
Fascinating yes Richard, but not nearly are terrifying as the late heavy bombardment period…which is generally thought to have brought water to our planet, which is a good thing! Wow….I think you’ve just inspired my next post….
February 19, 2013 at 9:14 am
Asteroids: Nature’s way of asking, “How’s that space program coming along?”
Incredible diagram…. so many green, yellow and red dots!
February 19, 2013 at 8:47 am
LOL! I think I’d like a map of not only asteroids but one which also includes space junk. Now THAT would be truly scary.
February 19, 2013 at 9:16 am
[Hee, hee... she said space junk...]
You’ve seen that image of Earth with all the known, larger satellites, right?
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1283.html
Had that for my wallpaper for a while!
February 19, 2013 at 9:32 am
LOL! You liked that, yes?
And also…YES! I have seen that. It blows me away. I think I’m gonna put that up on my sidebar here. It seems fitting.
February 19, 2013 at 10:05 am
(Oh, trust me, mind totally in the gutter.)
Now if we could only animate that satellite image in real time, that would be impressive!
February 19, 2013 at 2:50 pm
(Perhaps the words ‘trust me’ weren’t the best for opening that sentence.)
But I do agree it would be VERY impressive, I mean the animated satellite image….
February 19, 2013 at 5:59 pm
(As I was clicking the send button the same thought occurred to me. In point of fact, on these matters you wouldn’t actually want to trust me any further than you could throw the Eiffel Tower. With your off hand.)
I bet NASA has a giant plasma screen somewhere with an animated view!
February 19, 2013 at 6:19 pm
I’m thinking one day someone’s gonna make a LOT of money in the space junk removal business….
And, yes, I think it’s safe to say that NASA does indeed monitor satellites rather closely.
February 20, 2013 at 8:13 am
Well, Canadians are certainly funnier than us, and I’ve read at least one study that says they’re better-endowed (no kidding), but I’m not sure about cooler. When you bring the Barenaked Ladies into it, you’re not exactly making Canada’s case.
February 19, 2013 at 3:56 pm
You know Smak, you and I have had this disagreement…I mean …discussion before concerning Canadians — but wait, Canadians are better-endowed too? What? How? Why?……Where?!!?
February 19, 2013 at 5:55 pm
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