From Discovery to Impact - Near Earth Asteroids

Abstract

The Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) are the most important of the small bodies of the solar system, having the capability of close approaches to the Earth and the chance to collide with the Earth. We present here the current system of discovery of these dangerous objects, standards for selecting useful and important targets for NEO follow-up astrometry, system of impact probabilities calculations, and also determination of impact site and evacuation area.

Keywords

• asteroid, Near Earth Object, astrometry, impact probability