Asteroid Hunters: How We Track Space Rocks & Defend Earth

In our "Asteroid Hunters" episode, we learned how scientists use their keen eyes and powerful tools to spot asteroids in space. Now, you can become an asteroid hunter right in your own backyard!

The Big Question

How can we spot "near-Earth objects" by looking for things that are out of place?

What You'll Need

• A clear night sky
• A flashlight (optional)
• A notebook and pencil

Mission Steps

1. Find a Spot. Go outside on a clear night, away from bright lights if possible.
2. Scan the Sky. Look up at the stars. Notice how most of them twinkle and stay in place relative to each other.
3. Spot the Difference. Imagine you're looking for a tiny speck that's moving or looks different from the background stars. This is what asteroid hunters do, but with telescopes!
4. Record Your Thoughts. In your notebook, draw what you see and write down any "interesting" (moving or different) things you imagine you might spot.

Talk About It

• What did you notice about the stars?
• How is looking for an asteroid like playing "I Spy"?
• What makes a star appear to move to an asteroid hunter?

Take It Further

For older Rangers, try using a stargazing app on a phone or tablet. Many apps can show you the constellations and even identify planets and satellites. See if you can find any objects that aren't on the app's map to simulate spotting an unknown object.

FAQ

Q: What if it's cloudy? A: You can still do this mission! Imagine the stars and try to think about how you'd spot something unusual if you could see them.

Q: Aren't asteroids really big? Why are they hard to see? A: Even though asteroids can be huge, they are very, very far away, making them appear as tiny specks of light.

Q: Do we really need a flashlight? A: A flashlight can help you write in your notebook, but try to use it sparingly so your eyes can adjust to the dark and see more stars.