New 1.4 Gigapixel Asteroid Hunter Finds Object Headed For Earth [Asteroids]

The Pan-STARRS, a new 1.4 gigapixel telescope built to spot asteroids, has found a potentially dangerous asteroid headed for Earth. Luckily, we don’t should worry just yet. It won’t hit us ’til 2098.

In October, the asteroid 2010 ST will come within four million miles of us but that’s just the teaser. The true drama begins in 2098 when there’s a slight chance that it’ll give us a bit more than a love tap. Admittedly, the possibilities of the it hitting Earth are pretty low (and possibly will only get lower over the years) but if it does be ready to make contact, the 150-foot asteroid will cause an analogous damage as a 20-megaton bomb. So, um, let’s hope not.

The bright side of the story is how early the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) spotted the asteroid (it was nearly 20 million miles away when discovered). It’s the only real asteroid survey which is ready to spot at such distances. The Pan-STARRS has only been around for 3 months and it truly is the first asteroid it has found. Pretty good start. [ University of Hawaii via Pop Sci ]

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This post is tagged: asteroid headed for earth, asteroid survey, hitting earth, possibilities, rapid response system, survey telescope, university of hawaii