NEO Surveyor: Infrared Imaging for Better Asteroid Detection

NEO Surveyor is NASA’s upcoming infrared telescope, set to launch in the late 2020s, designed to enhance asteroid detection using heat-based imaging. Unlike Earth-based optical telescopes that rely on visible light, NEO Surveyor detects infrared energy—the heat that asteroids emit. This capability allows it to identify dark or faint space rocks that reflect little light, making it a more effective tool for detecting potential threats that optical telescopes might overlook.

Optical telescopes on Earth struggle to spot asteroids near the Sun because intense sunlight obscures their view. Positioned in space, NEO Surveyor uses infrared technology to cut through this glare, revealing hidden asteroids. Its wide-field camera efficiently scans large portions of the sky, capturing more data in less time compared to ground-based optical systems.

Infrared imaging provides NEO Surveyor with a significant advantage in both clarity and coverage. Unlike optical telescopes, which are affected by Earth’s atmosphere and limited to observing bright objects, this space-based mission offers a clearer, more comprehensive view of near-Earth asteroids. When it comes to tracking space rocks, this advanced technology surpasses traditional methods.

Source: NASA NEO Surveyor Mission