{"id":671844,"date":"2026-05-15T04:27:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/671844\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T04:27:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:27:08","slug":"new-tool-to-save-people-from-danger-posed-by-near-earth-meteors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/671844\/","title":{"rendered":"New ‘tool’ to save people from danger posed by near-Earth meteors"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new \u201ctool\u201d could reveal the threat posed by meteors as they approach Earth<\/a>, helping protect human life and satellites.<\/p>\n

By measuring 13 properties, including speed, brightness, duration, height, and atmospheric density, the team can determine their origin and physical composition.<\/p>\n

This information will help inform how these objects will behave<\/a>, including when they enter the atmosphere as meteor showers.<\/a><\/p>\n

The research was now possible because it was the first time in history they’d been able to access detailed datasets that are large enough to train modern AI learning systems.<\/p>\n

The Lowell Observatory<\/a> team in Arizona drew on more than 28,000 meteor events it recorded throughout 2023.<\/p>\n

Each object can be assigned to a new classification system, which is informed by a mathematical formula that can be applied to individual meteors or to millions of events.<\/p>\n

Tool can help keep humans safe as space travel expands<\/p>\n

Lead author of the study, Sam Hemmelgarn, told Yahoo News the \u201cmost practical implication\u201d of the work is that it can inform risk assessment for satellites in near-Earth space.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because determining what material the object is made of will help reveal how dangerous it is to assets.<\/p>\n

RELATED<\/p>\n

Co-author Nick Moskovitz added that the research could also help \u201cassess risks to human safety\u201d as commercial space exploration expands.<\/p>\n

Particularly in low Earth orbit (altitudes of 160 and 2,000km) and Cislunar space (the volume of space within the Moon\u2019s orbit).<\/p>\n

Have you found a meteorite? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n