Astronomers discovered that a small percentage of asteroids are glowing, and are working to figure out why. You can click the link below to reverse the order of the reports and start from the very beginning. Clicking on the bookmark icon will save your spot so you can return at any time to pick up where you left off.
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists are cautiously moving into the impact crater discovered earlier this week after monitoring instruments have failed to pick up any indication of hazardous environment. They will work to collect meteorite fragments and take note of the effects the impact had
Kerbal Space Agency
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to be clear: scientists still do not know what makes some asteroids glow so if the asteroid did contain any such material they may not actually be hazardous - but since no one knows it is of course best to assume that they are and act accordingly
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
while a previous impact that we know came from a glowing asteroid back in 2018 showed no signs of hazardous remains (twitter.com/KSA_MissionCtr…) whatever makes it glow could have burned up on re-entry that time but maybe not this time
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a decent-sized ~18m crater is present in the area, burned & flattened vegetation all around but impact is localized. They are returning tomorrow to begin setting up monitoring equipment. Since ATN did not see this rock coming (yikes it was close!) unknown if it was glowing or not
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
earlier today @ 15:13 UTC seismometers here and in Umbarg picked up the signature of a meteorite slamming into the ground. A team was deployed in an airship to check a field station in the plains to the north and attempt to triangulate the location. They have just reported back
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
QVK-554(A), just now entering our SOI, is the asteroid of today we wish were coming closer so a better optical image of the colored patches on its surface could be taken. Alas, it will venture no nearer than 3.91 Munar Distance and is only a few meters across
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
BYR-529(A) is a yellow-glowing asteroid that has just crossed into our SOI, set to pass by at 0.59 Munar Distance. Unfortunately on its closest flyby of the 10m ATN Central scope they will not have darkness to observe it for any better photos
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
just entering our SOI now is XKC-165(C), set for a polar close approach of 1.07 Munar Distance. It's glowing, but as it passes the equator where the new 10m scope can view it, the distance will be too great for any better images to be made
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a more recent photo taken of an asteroid 0.46 Munar Distance away brought additional surprise when the glow was clearly visible from the sunlit side of the asteroid as well. So far less than 1% of known asteroids passing by have had glowing surfaces twitter.com/KSA_MissionCtr…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
this is still the best photo we have from a similarly-colored rock. The search turned up no fragments with unusual properties. No idea still why some areas are brighter than others, if they are connected or just scattered across the surface twitter.com/KSA_MissionCtr…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
skimming through the system since late yesterday, ITW-797(C) will be coming no closer than 4.71 Munar Distance, which is a shame because astronomers would love a closer look at what is making it glow with a hint of green
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
researchers working on the asteroid fragments recovered from the south polar region expedition back in early Oct say they have found no traces of exotic compounds, posit that what makes certain asteroids glow could be extremely volatile materials or only exist on/near the surface
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a reminder that this expedition was sent to the area where two meteors suspected of carrying exotic material had fallen, but if any obvious signs of this were uncovered in the meteorites collected, it has not been publicly revealed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the expedition also brought back a few hundred grams worth of meteorites that were recovered, easy to spot against the harsh white polar landscape at the ice caps. Underwater dredging also produced some potential samples, all of which will be analyzed over the next few months
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're glad to have our KerBalloon team back safe from their south arctic expedition. They released two balloons and gathered lots of radiation data from the lower and upper atmospheres, though wind currents were not quite what they expected - also exciting data!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the south polar expedition to which our KerBalloon crew are attached has left port in Umbarg. The balloon release/recovery will take only a day or two but the search for meteorites will go on for at least two weeks in the area around bit.ly/Site_RAD-073
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
arriving early today, XAD-956(C) won't be coming close enough to resolve any reddish color that should be emanating from it, but astronomers will study what they can from afar as it tumbles past at 1.64 Munar Distance
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
our KerBalloon crew will be attaching to yet another expedition as scientists head for the south polar caps to search for meteorites and further investigate the increased radiation levels found at those latitudes twitter.com/KSA_MissionCtr…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
JMP-580(D) is the one rock astronomers wish were coming closer, as it seems to be glowing a lovely shade of purple. They'll do the best they can to observe it as it tumbles past at 5.34 Munar Distance
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a polar expedition to recover meteorite samples just became more lucrative because another colored asteroid, FXB-404(B), is falling within 100km of where bit.ly/XTE-221_B may have landed! It will likely need to be located on the sea floor however
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
after an exhaustive study of the bit.ly/LDL-466_C meteorite samples recovered scientists have found no conclusive evidence for exotic compounds. An expedition to the impact location of XTE-221(B) is being considered twitter.com/KSA_MissionCtr…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
DJA-569(C) will be closely-studied for its colored composition, unfortunately its close pass at 0.08 Munar Distance comes on the sunward-side of the planet so only during approach and retreat phases will observations be able to be made
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/LDL-466_C research team are packing up & heading home - numerous samples were collected to be studied further for any exotic compounds and the region will continue to be monitored for any long-term changes as a result of any kind of abnormal exposure
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
despite the myriad issues of a full polar expedition, the impact area of XTE-221(B) should receive some attention in the future, just not anytime soon, especially since bit.ly/LDL-466_C could still give scientists what they are looking for
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
XTE-221(B) is coming in hot and will likely crater the southern ice caps. Spectral anomalies have been detected on it, but an expedition to recover samples down there is already daunting, moreso now with the recently-confirmed elevated radiation levels in the area
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
researchers at the LDL-466(C) impact site report samples have been located and collected, although no obvious signs of bright glowing is evident. They say the area should be fully canvassed by the end of the month
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the fight to resume surface operations continues, get additional information on that and more via bit.ly/OpSummary3-5-18 - a relaxing weekend is wished upon all
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
no significant fallout reported at the LDL-466(C) impact site from the unseen asteroid impact last week, the research team says they will finally begin to hunt for and collect samples of the asteroid next week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/LDL-466_C research team returned earlier today and report although a layer of fine dirt is atop everything no large objects fell this far to damage anything. They'll be cleaning up all day and will inspect the impact sites tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
no abnormal weather reported after the asteroid strike this past weekend, meteorologists say The Wall kept all of the fallout to the north of Kravass. Research team plans to return tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all the researchers evacuated & made it safely to Kravass via airship. Data drives were pulled but all equipment was left behind. The team will resupply and return next week to assess any damage to both the camp and the LDL-466(C) impact area
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
did anyone see any tweets from us this past Sat? We just noticed they are not in our timeline?? Big news: around 12:30 UTC that day an asteroid slammed into the ground roughly 20-30km north of the research station setup to monitor the impact site of bit.ly/LDL-466_C
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a reminder that the asteroid bit.ly/LDL-466_C that crashed into the surface was one colored like MDG-147(B), suspected to be orange or yellow but it was unable to be confirmed before impact. Link has the latest on studies of the site
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Ockr Observatory confirms MDG-147(B) is indeed giving off a strong bluish glow, visible even against the sunlit portion of the asteroid. Astronomers currently baffled by what could be making such a glow in this and other rocks seen so far
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
anomalous NKO MDG-147(B) will be passing close enough that scopes at Ockr and Kravass observatories will both get a shot at catching it when it zips by at 0.46 Munar Distance - it is expected to be a bluish color
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists are setting up a research station 50km from the LDL-466(C) impact site and will begin to make trips to the outer edges to collect samples for study as remote observations have continued to show no detrimental environmental effects
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists are encouraged to see evidence of regrowth in the area of the LDL-466(C) impact, implying but not yet proving whatever mysterious material it carried is not dangerous. Debate still open on when it would be considered safe to approach
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KSC operations for 2017 are wrapped! Find out why via bit.ly/OpsSummary12-1… and catch up on this past week's activites. KSA operations are set to wrap next week - stay tuned for many year-in-review stats 🙂
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ground team is pulling out of the LDL-466(C) impact site. The area will be monitored over the next few months to determine if it is safe for further investigation into whatever the asteroid may have brought to Kerbin
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a ground team have begun to setup monitoring instruments in the region surrounding LDL-466(C)'s impact site, report no evidence of fires but localized damage visible from the air. Impact site itself will not be approached
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
no radiation has been detected around the LDL-466(C) impact site - that we know of. A team of volunteers will move in later this week for a brief exposure to setup monitoring instruments to see how local flora/fauna react over the next few months
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
remote-operated airship is prepping to depart from Kravass, crew will control it from 50km away as it surveys the LDL-466(C) impact site to determine if any dangerous radiation is present around the area
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
although photos were attempted as LDL-466(C) closed in on Kerbin, its entry was sunward and provided little opportunity for scopes at Kravass and Ockr to resolve anything
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Kravass reports seismometers recorded an impact event to the north as LDL-466(C) slammed into the ground. An investigation of the area will launch next week. Again, this asteroid could contain some unknown material so utmost caution will be taken
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
if we can collect pieces of this asteroid that make it to the surface, hopefully scientists can figure out just what is making this rock glow. Currently just 5% of all discovered asteroids have this property
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists are all very excited with the news of LDL-466(C)'s potential impact - it has anamolous spectra! Based on observations of previous close passes of similar asteroids, astronomers expect it to be an orange or yellowish color. Will be able to find out when it gets closer
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
TDT-143(C) & HWG-708(C) fragments have been studied over the past two weeks & appear to have been from normal asteroids. Although disappointing this certainly doesn't make them worthless, they can still tell us much about the early Kerbol system
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
NNJ-719(D), cutting through below at 5.49 Munar Distance, is an anomalous asteroid but not observable this close due us currently having no polar observatories
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
meanwhile TDT-143(C) fragments have been returned to Ockr for analysis. Both it & HWG-708(C) pieces will be carefully studied for anomalies
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
fragments of HWG-708(C) near Kravass have been found along the shore, but it looks like the majority of what made it down landed in water
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
if the fragments of this colored asteroid were giving off any sort of weird radiation or signature they were too small to detect w/sensors
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the expedition to recover pieces of WAK-827(C) off the sea floor has concluded with no success. It was a long shot, but worth the effort
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
earlier photo of a further object was unable to resolve smaller patches. They could be connected or just scattered more across the surface
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
no idea still what the glowing material is or why it's green (or purple). A variety of sensors trying to pick up any weird readings at sea
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
astronomers have released the best photo taken of WAK-827(C) last week as it approached Kerbin. marine expedition searching the ocean floor
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
astronomers have also deployed a temporary observatory to future bit.ly/ATN_NorthObsv location to get some imgs as it approaches
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ATN confirms WAK-827(C) impact site w/ SOI entry today. Due to its nature, scientists will mount an expedition to see if pieces can be found
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
if anything, 280 chars per tweet simply means we can use less acronyms & abbreviations. Have never felt we needed more room to communicate
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists are disappointed it won't impact over land however, as it is showing a spectral anomaly, pieces of which they would love to study
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ATN is tracking incoming asteroid bit.ly/WAK-827_C, like the two previous recent ones it is plotted to enter over water, no worries
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
catching up on more asteroid news XPT-127(C) is just now crossing our north pole @ 1.29MD. No scopes can see what color it is, unfortunately
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
IZC-884(C)'s periapsis will bring it between us & the sun, which is a shame because it's a spectral oddity astronomers would love to image
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
QAS-238(D) is the 4th asteroid to pass through this month so far. Is a colored rock but will pass at only 2.3MD - too far for a good image
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we expect to see published papers from the astronomical community on these two recent observations at some point in the next few months
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
several hours ago astronomers got our closest glimpse of WJQ-185(E) from 19,780km and they are amazed to find traces of magenta instead!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
WJQ-185(E) is coming close, which in this case is excellent because it too has a weird signature & will be studied closely as it swings by
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the really amazing thing about BDN-506(C) is it's one of the asteroids with weird spectra, and an optical image has scientists all abuzz
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the discovery of BDN-506(C) comes just as it's on the way out of the system. Doesn't look like it ever came very close by on its way through
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
so far all the strange asteroids have been detected in the main asteroid belt between Dres & Jool. Great to know some are closer to us
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists would actually love for WJQ to hit us - it's giving off one of the weird spectroscopic signatures they've been detecting!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ATN weekly database update available: bit.ly/ATN-DB_1-30-17 WJQ-185(E) periapsis is within error range & a potential impactor
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
no one knows what sort of elements are being represented, which is exciting - hopefully we discover one closer to Kerbin for better analysis
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ATN has confirmed that some asteroids are giving off weird spectroscopic signatures - they have currently marked 9 w/ variances w/in group
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ATN is still leaning more towards an instrument calibration issue, will do repeated observations of the suspicious space rocks next few wks
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
originally shrugged off as bad data, the ATN is starting to see more anomalous asteroid spectra that has them reevaluating the previous data
