May 5 – 9, 2025
STELLENBOSCH, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Africa/Johannesburg timezone

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Near-Earth Object (NEO) Discovery

May 5, 2025, 6:00 PM
3h
STELLENBOSCH, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

STELLENBOSCH, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Protea Hotel by Marriott® Stellenbosch
Poster Near-Earth Object (NEO) Discovery Poster Session 4: Near-Earth Object (NEO) Discovery

Speaker

Mr Kibrop Webber (Kenya Space Agency)

Description

Asteroids are key to unlocking the secrets of our solar system's formation and evolution, as well as assessing potential threats to Earth from impacts. This paper presents a thorough account of a significant asteroid search campaign conducted as part of an international collaborative initiative focused on identifying and tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs) and main belt asteroids (MBAs).Employing the advanced Astrometrica software, the high-resolution astronomical images obtained from both professional and amateur observatories were analysed. This campaign not only identified and cataloged new asteroids, significantly enriching the global asteroid database, but also confirmed the existence of known objects. Our comprehensive analyses enabled us to measure asteroid positions precisely using right ascension and declination and to calculate crucial orbital parameters necessary for determining accurate trajectories. Furthermore, tracking NEOs provided vital information for assessing potential impact risks.This study firmly establishes the indispensable contributions of citizen science in enhancing asteroid discovery and tracking initiatives. The results reinforce the urgent need for continuous asteroid search campaigns to deepen our understanding of small solar system bodies and to fortify planetary defense systems. We strongly advocate for the integration of cutting-edge machine learning algorithms and the fostering of international cooperation to maximize and elevate asteroid search efforts, ensuring a safer future for our planet.

Author

Mr Kibrop Webber (Kenya Space Agency)

Presentation materials