October 12, 2017 NASA tests the Earth defense system

Taking advantage of the time when the 2012 TC4 meteorite passed, NASA will try to train the ability to confirm the orbits of the asteroids in the universe.

Recently, NASA predicted a meteorite capable of hitting Earth on October 12, 2017. Specifically, it is the 2012 TC4 asteroid with a diameter of 30m, and it will pass through the Earth at an extremely close distance - only 6,800km (only 1/56 times the distance to the Moon).

According to a NASA spokesperson, this is a better opportunity to test the "planetary defense system" - which is used to detect meteorites capable of causing Earth to experience disaster.

Simulation meteorite 2012 TC4.

"Science can predict when a meteorite will approach the Earth and pass safely, with the data collected" - quoted Michael Kelley, NASA's TC4 campaign specialist.

"But this time, we want to use meteors to re-examine the asteroid detection system globally , in order to reevaluate the possibility that we actually discovered a dangerous meteorite for Earth."

According to Professor Vishnu Reddy - campaign leader: "This is a great effort by many observatories, laboratories and prestigious universities all over the world. Now we can collect data and assess the possibilities. Observe the nearby Earth objects ".

It is known that the first 2012 TC4 meteorite appeared in 2012. It passed through the Earth, but at a distance far away and faded during the past 5 years.

This is a better opportunity to test "planetary defense system".

But this time, 2012 TC4 started approaching Earth, with enough distance to observe with a large periscope. In particular, experts are hoping that the Earth's defense system will help reduce errors, when predicting the meteor's approach distance.

"This is a perfect goal to practice, because we know TC4's ability to access the Earth, it is just unclear exactly how it will go," said Paul Chodas, project manager.