Scientists in Spain may have taken a giant leap in safeguarding Earth from potential asteroid collisions. A study published in the ‘Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society’ highlights a new formula that uses the gravitational bending of light to pinpoint the precise locations of celestial objects, including potentially hazardous asteroids.
Professor Oscar del Barco Novillo from the University of Murcia led the study, explaining that his formula calculates the deflection angle of light caused by massive objects like the Sun.
“This could improve the precise positioning of minor solar system objects like asteroids,” Novillo said, as reported by Phys.org.
Gravitational bending and significance
The phenomenon of gravitational bending of light (GBL) was first theorised by Isaac Newton and later confirmed by Albert Einstein’s general relativity. Light from distant objects often bends under the influence of powerful gravitational fields, making them appear displaced from their actual positions.
Novillo’s equation is the most accurate to date, accounting for the positions of both the observer and the source relative to the gravitational mass.
This breakthrough could enhance predictions of asteroid orbits, allowing better calculations of trajectories for near-Earth objects. According to Nasa’s Catalina Sky Survey, approximately 2,000 asteroids larger than 460 feet are discovered near Earth yearly.
Enhancing planetary defence
The formula’s application goes beyond spotting asteroids. It could help refine planetary defence systems, like Nasa’s DART mission, which in 2022 successfully altered the trajectory of the asteroid Dimorphos using a satellite collision.
Early observations from the mission showed promising results, with detailed findings expected from the European Space Agency‘s Hera mission next year.
Additionally, this new approach could be pivotal in mapping distant galaxies and exploring cosmic phenomena such as dark matter and dark energy. “Distant galaxies distorted by intervening mass can now be located precisely,” Novillo stated, as per Daily Mail.
The implications of Novillo’s formula extend to mapping nearby stars and their exoplanets. For instance, it could help determine the exact position of Proxima Centauri, 4.25 light-years away, aiding scientists in studying its potentially habitable planets.
The formula may also assist the ESA’s Euclid mission, which aims to create a detailed 3D map of billions of galaxies over the next six years.
With this innovative equation, scientists are better equipped to detect, understand, and potentially mitigate cosmic threats while delving deeper into the mysteries of the universe.
