Near Earth Asteroids

Organizations supporting NEA Research

Minor Planet Center (MPC)

The Minor Planet Center is the single worldwide location for receipt and distribution of positional measurements of minor planets and comets. The MPC is responsible for the identification, designation and orbit computation for these objects. The MPS maintains the master files of observations and orbits, track the discoverer of each object, and announce discoveries via electronic circulars and the web.

The MPC operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory an official entity of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). This organization provides many observing tools that support NEO observations and observers.

MPC Publications:

Minor Planet Circulars (MPECs)

Minor Planet Circulars (MPECs) contain astrometric observations, orbits and ephemerides of minor planets and comets. The minor-planet observations are summarized by observatory code. The first MPC was published in 1947.

Minor Planet Circulars Supplement (MPS)

Supplements contain minor-planet observations, sorted by designation and date. MPC began publishing the supplement in October 1997. There is also the Minor Planet Circulars Orbit Supplement MPOs) containing full details on the orbits for newly discovered minor planets.

Minor Planet Electronic Circulars (MPECs)

News on discoveries of unusual minor planets, near-Earth and trans-Neptunian objects. As orbital details develop, updates are posted. Observation windows for critical minor planets are listed. The Daily Orbit Update MPECs contain new identifications and orbits obtained over the previous 24 hours. MPECs are considered temporary publications and material may be corrected in a corresponding MPC. This publication is essential to observers who wish to verify new discoveries.

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Besides launching space probes and tracking small bodies, NASA also provides many services to NEO observers, researchers and educators.

NASA's Near-Earth Object Program

In 1998, NASA established the Near-Earth Object Office at JPL to coordinate its efforts to detect, track and characterize potentially hazardous asteroids and comets. The Office collects new data to update the orbits of Near-Earth objects, calculates their orbital paths to find close Earth approaches.

SENTRY (Impact Risk)

For close approaches, impact probabilities are computed and posted on the SENTRY Impact Risk area of the NEO web site. For very close Earth approaches, the JPL computations are compared and verified with the Near-Earth Objects Dynamic Site, (NEODyS). When orbits are verified, the information is posted on the SENTRY page. The purpose is to alert observers of the objects that are most critical to observe. There are always NEOs on the SENTRY website because future Earth impacts must be ruled out. When additional data improves the orbital elements, most NEOs are removed from SENTRY. Other newly discovered objects also appear on the Risk Page to indicate they that require more observations.

HORIZONS System

JPL HORIZONS is an on-line solar system data and ephemeris computation service that provides solar system data and highly accurate ephemerides for over 600,000 solar system objects.

For close approaches, impact probabilities are computed and posted on the SENTRY Impact Risk area of the NEO web site. For very close Earth approaches, the JPL computations are compared and verified with the Near-Earth Objects Dynamic Site, (NEODyS). When orbits are verified, the information is posted on the SENTRY page. The purpose is to alert observers of the objects that are most critical to observe. There are always NEOs on the SENTRY website because future Earth impacts must be ruled out. When additional data improves the orbital elements, most NEOs are removed from SENTRY. Other newly discovered objects also appear on the Risk Page to indicate they that require more observations.

Solar System Dynamics

The Solar System Dynamics site provides information related to the orbits, physical characteristics, and discovery circumstances for NEAS and other known natural bodies in the solar system. It offers a visualization application of NEO Orbit Diagrams. The diagrams are helpful to visual the orbits of asteroids, but because the orbits can change and maybe updated at a later date, the Horizon system should be used for accurate long-term ephemrides.

In June 2013, NASA announced a Grand Challenge focused on detecting and characterizing asteroids to help deal with dangerous asteroids. NASA is asking for public engagement, open innovation and citizen science to work out solution to the PHA dilemma.

NASA has also announced a potential mission to select a small asteroid, capture and redirect it into a lunar orbit. The asteroid would then be visited by human asteroids launched into space with a new rocket. The mission is called the Asteroid Redirect Mission.

Both the Grand Challenge and the Asteroid Retrieval Mission are part of the NASA Asteroid Initiative. The asteroid initiative includes an observation campaign, orbital tracking, robotic components, the human elements, and enhanced focus on planetary defense.

NASA maintains the Solar System Dynamics page that offers a visualization application of NEO Orbit Diagrams.

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European Space Agency (ESA)

The European Space Agency (ESA) is an international organisation with 20 Member States. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. By coordinating the resources of its members, it can undertake programs and activities beyond the scope of the individual countries.

The European Space Agency (ESA) announced its Space Situational Awareness (SSA) initiative in September 2011. The ESA SSA/NEO program is managed by the NEO Coordination Centre. The blog On Orbit Watch is a community site for the SSA program.

Space Situational Awareness - Near-Earth Objects

Spaceguard Foundation

The Spaceguard Foundation is an association aimed at the protection of the Earth environment against the bombardment of comets and asteroids.

Space Guard Central Core provides observers with tools to assist in the detection and observation of NEOs.

Tumbling Stone is scientific monthly publication about NEOs (Near Earth Objects), asteroids and comets, and the hazard of Earth impact. It contains articles by researchers about NEOs science. Topics covered include comets, asteroids and their orbital and physical characteristics, meteors, meteorites, craters, impacts, space missions to NEOs, and more.

Planetary Society

The Planetary Society, was founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman, to inspire and involve the public in space exploration through advocacy, projects, and education. The society maintains a Asteroids and Comets website with information on NEAs and similar topics

Planetary Society NEA Projects

Laser Bees - Deflecting dangerous rocks with laser

Shoemaker Near-Earth Object Grant Program

- A grant program for amateur observers, observers in developing countries, and professional astronomers to assist with NEO research.

Asteroid Telescope First Light - Read how an NEO grant is being put to use to verify orbits of newly discovered objects.

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