io9
Well, it's about time. Asteroids hitting Earth has been a big problem for life this planet since forever, and at last governments around the world have been united in their inability to give a shit. And they did it without Gort the giant robot forcing them! Next year, the Canadian Space Agency will launch the Near Earth Object Surveillance Satellite (NEOSSat), the first space-borne asteroid hunting device ever made.
If a comet or asteroid doesn't slam into the planet between now and then, ending civilization, it will greatly improve our chances of killing ourselves off, instead of being snuffed out by some cosmic accident. Thank you, Canucks.
As this New Scientist article says, astronomers on the ground have been looking for potentially threatening asteroids for decades, but even a small space telescope like NEOSSat will really help us out:
Scientists are using ground-based telescopes to track down more of the near-Earth objects (NEOs) to determine if any could potentially hit the planet in the foreseeable future. But some of these objects are difficult to see from the ground.t will rely on a telescope with a 15-centimetre mirror, smaller than many backyard telescopes used by amateur astronomers. Chief scientists for the mission are Alan Hildebrand of the University of Calgary and Brad Wallace of Defence Research and Development Canada.
Despite its modest dimensions, the spacecraft's unique vantage point in space may allow it to spot objects that are difficult to see from the ground.
Most of the NEOs found so far have elongated orbits that extend far away from the Sun. But some never venture much beyond Earth's orbit.
These stay close to the Sun in the sky, meaning they must be observed when the Sun is not far below the horizon - before sunrise and after sunset. At those times, the glow of the sky can make the objects hard to see.
Operating above the atmosphere, NEOSSat will have a clearer view of such objects. It is expected to catalogue at least 50% of the ones that span more than 1 kilometre.
These close-in objects are more dangerous than their more far-flung siblings because they spend more time in the vicinity of Earth, where there is the potential for a collision, says Timothy Spahr. An astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, Spahr co-authored a 2007 NASA report to the US Congress on the risk to Earth from NEOs.
NEOSSat only weighs about 60kg and cost $10 million to build...about what it costs for a candy bar in the Pentagon cafeteria. And for that pittance all we get is an unprecedented level of interplanetary defense. We owe you one, Canada.
Source: New Scientist (image: TreeHugger)
Comments
Oh snap, go Canada.
The astrophysical community has been begging NASA to do this for YEARS. Sadly, their priorities have been in a number of places, many of which don't really include scientific research these days.
Just like calling the Canadarm on the space shuttle the "Robotic Arm", CNN will simply call this the "satellite that looks for asteroids". Ignoring any reference country of origin.
BTW.. "We you one," should probably be "We owe you one,".
"We owe you one, Canada." maybe?
Canada has a space program?
@Gann:
Canada has had a space program for eons.
Did Bruce Willis change citizenship? Otherwise its all hoser jibber jabber.
Thanks. Canada's great. Go from Detroit to Windsor and it's a much nicer world.
On behalf of the people of Canada.
No problem. Glad we could help.
(proud former Canadian Space Agency Neighbour)
I'm not your buddy, Guy.
@se7a7n7: I'm not guy, PAL!
@Garrison Dean, King Awesome: I'm not your pal, Friend!
"...owe you one." They might take us up on that. I, for one. welcome our Canadian Space Overlords!
Aw c'mon, somebody had to type it.
Cheers, hosers!
@bigswingdaddy: I would personally like to apologize to Canada on behalf of my nation for that "America's Hat" wisecrack...Please don't hold it against us as we flee toward the north to escape the rising flood-waters and hurricanes...
@russdanger: No problem, You'll be greeted warmly, given your medicare card, water ration, and escorted to a clean, comfortable room where we will process you, remove your guns and then take YOUR YANKEE ASS AND DEPORT YOU TO TOIL IN OUR MAPLE MINES!
Rise CANADA! RIIIISE
@russdanger: Worry not, you will be welcomed. We'll give you a hot meal, a medicare card, and a clean and comfortable place to sleep.
Then we send your yankee ass off to toil in the maple mines.
Damn. Dual posting. The sign of the N00b.
@Jeff-Minor:
Not to rag on Detroit, but wouldn't that be true if you headed in pretty much any direction?
But as a Canadian, thank you.
@diverguy: Ix-nay!
No, Canada has no space program. Nope. None.
No, we don't have thousands of massive VTOL shuttles that can carry our entire population safely into space to land on the far side of the moon where our terra-forming machinery lies waiting.
Now, who wants some poutine? Come on, how about a little maple syrup on their ice-cream?
@Garrison Dean, King Awesome:
Uncool hoser reference. You do realize that nobody up here in Canuckistan has used that terminology in well over 20 years? Aside from Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas that is. :)
@Jim (The Canuck One): Jim, jim jim.... The nice folks from IntSecEh will be visiting you about your little 'security leak'
Yeah Jim.. come on.. Ever heard of hiding something in plain site?
Look at area 51.. they try to make it a secret and everyone knows about it and wants to get inside...If you tell people Canada has a space program they'll pretty much ignore it until.. well, until Canada takes over the Moon and Mars while the Earth becomes a cosmic Billiard ball...
@bigswingdaddy: You sir, are my hero.
And countryman! I've got dual citizenship! I've got a get-out-of-mines free card, right? ;)
@bigswingdaddy: Considering my health care costs and working conditions, work in the maple mines looks pretty good. I've already watched enough hockey to pick up some of "O Canada". It's much easier than our anthem. Ours is about a battle where we got our asses kicked, never made sense o me...
Oh CANADA!...We Stand On Guard For Thee Universe!
It's funny I was listening to an interview with Julie Payette yesterday evening and she never mentioned NEOSSat. Our astronauts are too focused on the ISS flights, Canadarm2 and Dextre.
@AdamL: Ha ha ha! Now you've hurt my feelings :(
@bigswingdaddy: I don't want them to get a medicare card until they're productive, contributing members of society...you gotta start paying your taxes first.
When I was a young GI stationed at Ft. Drum years ago, we often traveled into Canada. From those times I recall cleanliness, courtesy, friendships with the locals, attractive friendly women, and delicious beer and food. Canada you are a class act, glad to have you as a neighbor. Thanks for looking for those pesky asteroids too.
Has anyone done a comparative analysis of national space programs as they relate to science versus commerce? Think about it. Each time we (mankind) launches a rocket...does it go up for Science or does it go up for commerce? Which rocket launching nations are pulling the weight?...so to speak.
How many launches are altruistically pure science benefitting mankind in general...and how many launches are pure commerce/military benefitting corporations or geopolitical interest's? Anyone?
Wait I'm confused. Is Canada part of Montana or North Dakota?
Well, considering all the hand wringing from all the other countries I'm glad my country Canada is taking care of the Earth. Lets hope our scientists can also warn us in due time of an alien invasion. :)
great, if we Canadians can conquer space, we'll have somewhere to store our insane supply of crazy turn-you-inside-out chemical weapons.
You guys didn't think we're sitting up here with a shitload of natural resources without a way to defend them did you?
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