15/04/2025
James Webb Discovers Hidden Asteroids Near Earth | A New Threat in the Asteroid Belt
Description:
The James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered more than 100 previously unseen asteroids in our solar system’s asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. These objects range from the size of a bus to massive, stadium-sized rocks. What's more, six of them are on paths that could bring them near Earth, raising new questions for planetary defense.
This discovery was made possible by JWST’s advanced infrared imaging and a new computational technique, setting the stage for future asteroid monitoring with tools like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which will exponentially increase our asteroid catalog.
Learn more:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08480-z
Tags:
james webb telescope, asteroid discovery, space exploration, planetary defense, asteroid belt, infrared astronomy, vera rubin observatory, nasa, space science, asteroid tracking, astronomy facts, cosmic breakthrough, space news, asteroid catalog, new space discoveries
