Near-Earth Asteroids: From Ground-Based Observations to Space Exploration and Planetary Defence

by Dr Marcel Popescu (Institute of Space Science & University of Craiova)

Thursday 25 Jun 2026, 11:30 → 12:30 Europe/Rome

0/0-3 - Sala Rosino (Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia - Edificio ex-Rizzato)

The near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) represent a class of asteroids with orbits close to our planet. These small bodies of the Solar System are defined as having perihelion distances q < 1.3 astronomical units (au). Because of their proximity to the Earth, they provide valuable information on the delivery of water and organic-rich material to the early Earth, and the subsequent emergence of life. Over geological timescales, NEAs have shaped the evolution of our planet. From a practical point of view, the study of NEAs is a key element for space exploration and planetary defence. For example, ESA's Hera mission will investigate the binary asteroid (65803) Didymos, which was the target of the first large-scale collision experiment, the controlled impact of NASA's DART spacecraft. Furthermore, NEAs are regarded as ideal targets for In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) and are anticipated to become a significant source of materials for space activities in the near future.
In this talk, I will provide an overview of studies concerning near-Earth objects. I will outline various approaches for discovering and characterizing NEAs using ground-based telescopes. Finally, I will discuss the exploration of NEAs through space missions such as ESA's Hera and RAMSES.

 

Join Zoom Meeting  

 

https://unipd.zoom.us/j/82482883288?pwd=MVvmMWSGaiVrGMyAFOdyQG61OAcI7D.1

Meeting ID: 824 8288 3288 
Passcode: 072472