Asteroid Workshop organised by ISRO

Reference

Recently, on the occasion of International Asteroid Day, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) organised a workshop at Space Bhavan in Bengaluru.

What is an asteroid

Asteroids are small rocky bodies orbiting the Sun. They orbit the Sun like planets but are much smaller in size. They are mainly found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Effect of asteroid explosion on Earth

• Extinction of species
• Formation of Crater Lake
• Ecosystem damage
• Adverse effects on the food chain
• Climate change

About Asteroid Day

• Asteroid Day is celebrated every year on June 30 by the space community. An asteroid workshop was organized on this occasion.
• This day is celebrated due to the massive explosion of an asteroid on 30 June 1908 in a 2,200 sq km forest area in Siberia, Russia.
• It is believed that the explosion of asteroids was the reason for the extinction of dinosaurs along with many other species.

Purpose of the Asteroid Workshop

• Raise awareness of asteroid hazards
• Communicate the importance of asteroid research for a better understanding of the universe
• Inspire innovative solutions for planetary protection

Observation of Apophis asteroid by ISRO

• In the year 2004, ISRO's observatories were successful in seeing an object of 340 meters size.
  • The object was continuously approaching the Earth.
  • Based on the available data, ISRO calculated that the object was highly likely to collide with the Earth, indicating a high risk.
• This body is known as Asteroid Apophis. It can often be seen in the vicinity of the Earth.
• According to ISRO, if there is any change in gravity, it is likely to impact the Earth in the year 2036.
• At present ISRO as a leading space agency has initiated focused activities towards planetary protection.

ISRO's plan for Apophis asteroid

• ISRO is considering participating in a planetary defence mission in space before the Apophis asteroid passes close to or collides with Earth on April 13, 2029.
• This could include putting an instrument on the Apophis Asteroid Mission, a joint effort by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
  • ISRO will provide all possible support to participate and learn in this mission.
  • Although ISRO lacks funding for new projects like asteroid mission.

Learning from NASA's DART mission

• NASA's DART mission helped change the trajectory of an asteroid in deep space.
• NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) successfully changed the orbit of the target asteroid Dimorphos by a spacecraft.
• This mission demonstrated that it is possible to deflect an asteroid by slightly altering its trajectory.
  • By changing the trajectory of the asteroid it can be prevented from hitting the Earth.