Asteroid Chase

It has become a popular destination for space agencies around the world. In recent years, a number of probes have been launched, with asteroids in their sights. Multi-million-kilometre journeys with ever more challenging targets. The first probes have come close to look, others have landed, and two have even collected samples to return to Earth, Hayabusa2 in 2020 and Osiris-Rex in September 2023. Another probe from the DART mission has attempted to deflect an asteroid. Why this rush toward asteroids? What excites scientists about these celestial rocks?

Astrophysicist Patrick Michel participated in these and other missions. In a book published by Odile Jacob, “Asteroid Encounter” It tells the great adventure of exploring these strange and distant little worlds as well as what he hopes to discover and the strategic scenarios that science sets out to prevent an asteroid from falling on our heads!

“We live in a fascinating time, especially thanks to the ongoing and evolving space adventures that aim to visit asteroids and, in some cases, bring samples back to Earth. But, despite the great advances in our knowledge, which is the subject of this book, there is still much to learn. That is why it is essential to continue exploring and interacting with these celestial bodies.” Patrick Michel says.

“Indiana Jones-worthy” epics

On September 24, the Osiris-Rex probe, launched in 2016, returned samples from the asteroid Bennu, which is about 500 meters in diameter. Patrick Michel recalls the tears of joy that the capsule brought upon its landing. Analysis showed that the material of this asteroid is similar to that of a star like the Sun.

Hayabusa2 was launched on December 3, 2014, and reached the asteroid Ryugu. It took soil samples there twice, totaling 5.4 grams, instead of the expected 100 milligrams. He, who was present in the operations room as the Japanese Hayabusa2 probe collected asteroid dust, was even more moved when he recalled the excitement of this great first in astrophysics. The capsule containing them landed in the Australian desert in December 2020.

Well-Monitored Cosmic Fossils

Is an asteroid collision possible? Rest assured, at present, no asteroid threatens the Earth. However, for about twenty years, forecasting, prevention and international coordination have been organized in order to take into account all possible scenarios of these low-probability but very high-consequence risks. The main advantage is that it is one of the rare natural hazards that we can try to control. In this sense, Patrick Michel compares it to a pandemic and speaks of a reliable protocol that must be tested for future generations while recalling the necessary distinction between science fiction and reality.

To know more, listen to the show…

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