James Webb Telescope Uncovers 138 New Asteroids, Some Heading Toward Earth, Boosting Planetary Defense
Astronomers have discovered a significant number of previously undetected asteroids in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, thanks to an analysis of archival images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Published on December 9, 2024, in Nature, this research reveals 138 new asteroids, some of which are on trajectories that could bring them close to Earth. These asteroids, ranging in size from that of a bus to multiple stadiums, represent the smallest objects identified in the main asteroid belt.
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While these asteroids are smaller than the one that contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs, they still pose potential risks due to their destructive capacity. For example, a decameter-sized asteroid exploded above Chelyabinsk, Russia, a decade ago, releasing an energy equivalent to 30 Hiroshima bombs.
A Computational Breakthrough in Asteroid Detection
Julien de Wit, Associate Professor of Planetary Science at MIT, and his team used a computationally demanding technique to identify these space rocks. This method, applied to JWST images originally intended for the TRAPPIST-1 system, led to the discovery of 138 new asteroids. Six of these appear to be influenced by gravitational forces from nearby planets, which could bring them closer to Earth in the future. De Wit described the large number of detections as evidence of a \”new population regime.\”
The Power of Infrared Detection
The telescope\’s infrared capabilities played a crucial role in this discovery, allowing it to detect thermal emissions from the asteroids more effectively than traditional visible-light methods. Artem Burdanov, a research scientist at MIT, highlighted how revisiting older data with advanced technology can lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
Future observations with JWST and other telescopes, such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, are expected to identify thousands more small asteroids, enhancing planetary defense and improving our ability to track objects in orbit.
