Nearly 5,000 planets are threatening the earth

A new survey by the US Aerospace Agency (NASA) shows that there are up to 4,700 small planets and at least 1,500 cosmic rocks with a radius of at least 100 meters at risk of hitting the earth.

The orbits of meteorites and planets make them occasionally approach the earth to a level of concern. Until now, scientists have found about 30% of this object.

The planet is at risk (Potentially asteroid hazardous - PHA) are meteorites that can reach so far within 8 million kilometers of the earth. Their size is so large that it can cause destruction on a regional or global scale if it collides with our planet.

New research is based on observations from NASA's wide-ranging infrared telescope (WISE). The telescope also gives data about the number of meteorites close to the earth similar to previous projects, but it also provides some surprising results.

According to the survey, compared to before, the number of flying meteorites in lower-inclination orbit - closer to the earth's path around the sun than other objects - is twice as high as Previous thoughts of researchers.

'It can be explained that many PHA can be generated from two meteorites within the belt between Mars and Jupiter ,' NASA officials explained. 'A large celestial body of low-tilted orbit may have broken. on the main belt, creating some debris flying in orbit close to the Earth, even turning into objects that are at risk of danger '.

The diagram describes the distance between the planet near the earth (NEA) and the planet at risk
Dangerous muscle (PHA). PHA is closer to the earth's orbit. (Source: Space)

The asteroids flying low in orbit also appear smaller and brighter than the planets near the earth and are also at higher risk of colliding with the earth, the researchers said.

'Our team was surprised to find too much PHA on low-sloping orbit. They can get closer to the Earth, creating better opportunities for adventures with robots or man-controlled later, " said Amy Mainzer, scientist at NASA Jet Engine Laboratory.

The researchers made estimates of the number of meteorites near the earth based on the observation of 107 asteroids through the WISE telescope (which began operating in 2009).

The WISE telescope, worth $ 320 million, takes pictures of about 600 near-planet planets, of which 135 are completely new. WISE also observes millions of other objects, such as distant galaxies or stars.

Reference: Space