Tag: gravitational keyholes
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How Asteroids Spin in Space and Safe Deflection Strategies
Understanding asteroid spin: the tug-of-war between collisions and internal friction Asteroids don’t all rotate the same way. Some spin smoothly like a top, others tumble chaotically, and a few seem to drift through space with unpredictable wobble. Recent work presented at the Europlanet Science Congress in Helsinki sheds light on why this happens and what…
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How Asteroids Spin and Where to Hit Them: New Insights from Gaia Data and Safe-Strike Mapping
Understanding asteroid spin: two forces at work Astronomers are uncovering why some asteroids rotate smoothly like a spinning top while others tumble chaotically. Two recent studies presented at the Europlanet Science Congress in Helsinki shed light on the physics behind asteroid rotation and how this knowledge can improve planetary defense strategies. One research team, led…
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How Asteroids Spin in Space—and How We Can Use That to Save Earth
Understanding asteroid spin: a balance of forces Asteroids come in a wide range of shapes and spin states. Some rotate smoothly like a top, while others tumble chaotically. Recent research presented at the Europlanet Science Congress in Helsinki sheds light on what drives these different spin patterns. By examining data from the European Space Agency’s…