Catalina Sky Survey
A NASA-funded survey in Arizona that has discovered more near-Earth objects than any other survey in history: 17,918 near-Earth asteroids since 1995 (Catalina Sky Survey).
Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/CSS-Univ. of Arizona (PIA22468).
Last reviewed: 4 sources cited
Explain Like I'm 10
- Catalina is a team in Arizona that hunts for space rocks every clear night.
- They have found more An asteroid or comet whose orbit brings it close to Earth's path around the Sun. Scientists track them to make sure none is on course to hit us. Glossary than anyone else.
- They even spotted a small one hours before it burned up over Africa.
The Five W's of Catalina Sky Survey
Who
The Catalina Sky Survey, a NASA-funded project of NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, based at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.
Source: Catalina Sky Survey
What
A mission fully dedicated to discovering and tracking near-Earth objects, using survey telescopes with large 10k x 10k cameras.
When
Active since the late 1990s, with big growth in discoveries from 2004-2005 and after camera upgrades in 2016.
Why
Finding and tracking near-Earth objects is the first step in planetary defense.
Source: Catalina Sky Survey
Impact Statement
Agency solution · active
The Catalina Sky Survey has discovered 17,918 near-Earth A rocky object that orbits the Sun, much smaller than a planet. Most are in a belt between Mars and Jupiter. Glossary from 1995 to the present, more than any other survey project in history (Catalina Sky Survey).
Source: Catalina Sky Survey
For Further Information: Catalina Sky Survey
Camera upgrades in 2016 at Catalina's 1.5 m and 0.7 m telescopes led to another great leap in near-Earth object discoveries (Catalina Sky Survey).
How This Saves People & the Planet
For People
Early discovery of near-Earth objects gives time for warnings and, if needed, action to protect people (Catalina Sky Survey).
Source: Catalina Sky Survey
For Nature
Discovering and tracking near-Earth objects is the first step in protecting Earth, its people and its wildlife from an impact (Catalina Sky Survey).
Source: Catalina Sky Survey
Get Involved With Catalina Sky Survey
Want to go deeper? The Catalina Sky Survey has the full Catalina Sky Survey story.
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Help This Work
This is a public mission, so there is nothing to donate. You can explore its free data or join a citizen science project.