Idea proposed to move asteroid into Earth orbit. Researchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing have put forward a plan to put an asteroid into orbit around Earth, at around twice the distance between the Earth and the Moon. While most research in that field discusses what to do if an asteroid is discovered to be heading towards Earth, the team found an asteroid called 2008EA9, which they say comes so close to ‘accidentally’ entering our orbit anyway, only a small nudge would put it into orbit for a few years at least. This proces has occurred naturally in our solar system in the past, when the comet Oterma entered orbit around Jupiter for two years from 1936, before heading back out into the solar system. Having the asteroid nearby would make it ideal for research and perhaps even mining.

Idea proposed to move asteroid into Earth orbit.

Researchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing have put forward a plan to put an asteroid into orbit around Earth, at around twice the distance between the Earth and the Moon.

While most research in that field discusses what to do if an asteroid is discovered to be heading towards Earth, the team found an asteroid called 2008EA9, which they say comes so close to ‘accidentally’ entering our orbit anyway, only a small nudge would put it into orbit for a few years at least. This proces has occurred naturally in our solar system in the past, when the comet Oterma entered orbit around Jupiter for two years from 1936, before heading back out into the solar system.

Having the asteroid nearby would make it ideal for research and perhaps even mining.

technologyreview.com

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