<p>The answer to the first question is: more observations.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>That is, what process and techniques are used to calculate and increase the accuracy of our collision threat estimation?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>You just have to know the orbit.</p>

<p>But the orbit of asteroids is very complicated to predict, because they are influenced, sometimes dramatically, by the planets and by smaller bodies, like other asteroids, that we might not be able to see. </p>

<p>On top of this we cannot measure directly the orbital speed of an asteroid. We can only observe changes in the angular position. <strong>If</strong> we know the distance (which might not be easily measurable) we can at least put a lower limit to the speed.</p>

<p>The basic steps to study the orbit of an asteroids are:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>find it and try to get a first guess about the position and velocity (this requires multiple observations far enough in time to be able to measure an angular movement)</p></li>
<li><p>plug the position and velocity info (and likely their errors) into a computer simulation that simulate the solar system dynamics. Fast forward the simulation to predict the future orbit.</p></li>
<li><p>observe again the asteroid and compare its position with the simulation. Re-estimate position and velocity. Go to point 2.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>As the orbit can change significantly a continuous interplay between 2. and 3. is necessary. </p>

<p>Once you have an orbit you can estimate the probability for the asteroid to pass near enough to the Moon or Earth to be deflected and hit us. </p>

<p>But thankfully the solar system is huge, we are tiny and moving between the much much larger Sun and Jupiter :D</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-25T20:53:00.023Z
2014-10-28T14:31:37.193Z
2014-10-28T14:31:37.193Z
Francesco Montesano
<p>Some astronomers in Ukraine have estimated that there is a small likelihood (1 in 63,000) that the asteroid <strong>2013 TV<sub>135</sub></strong> will strike Earth in 2032. (<a href="http://www.spaceanswers.com/news/3673/asteroid-may-impact-in-2032/" rel="nofollow">source</a>)</p>

<p>Don Yeoman of NASA JPL says:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>with more observations, I fully expect we will be able to significantly reduce, or rule out entirely, any impact probability for the foreseeable future.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><strong>How can we improve our estimation of the potential threat posed by 2013 TV<sub>135</sub>?</strong></p>

<p>That is, what process and techniques are used to calculate and increase the accuracy of our collision threat estimation?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-28T20:29:10.253Z
According to [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_TV135), it was removed from the JPL Sentry Risk Table on November 8, 2013. The latest estimate is that it will miss Earth by 0.76 AU (114 million km). Incidentally its estimated diameter is 450 meters, so the illustration is highly exaggerated.
Keith Thompson
<asteroids><impact>
How can we tell if the asteroid 2013 TV135 will hit Earth in 2032?
called2voyage
# How can we tell if the asteroid 2013 TV135 will hit Earth in 2032?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-10-18)

Some astronomers in Ukraine have estimated that there is a small likelihood (1 in 63,000) that the asteroid **2013 TV135** will strike Earth in 2032. ([source](http://www.spaceanswers.com/news/3673/asteroid-may-impact-in-2032/))

Don Yeoman of NASA JPL says:

> with more observations, I fully expect we will be able to significantly reduce, or rule out entirely, any impact probability for the foreseeable future.

**How can we improve our estimation of the potential threat posed by 2013 TV135?**

That is, what process and techniques are used to calculate and increase the accuracy of our collision threat estimation?

**Tags:** asteroids, impact

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: According to [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_TV135), it was removed from the JPL Sentry Risk Table on November 8, 2013. The latest estimate is that it will miss Earth by 0.76 AU (114 million km). Incidentally its estimated diameter is 450 meters, so the illustration is highly exaggerated.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2013-10-25. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

The answer to the first question is: more observations.

> That is, what process and techniques are used to calculate and increase the accuracy of our collision threat estimation?

You just have to know the orbit.

But the orbit of asteroids is very complicated to predict, because they are influenced, sometimes dramatically, by the planets and by smaller bodies, like other asteroids, that we might not be able to see.

On top of this we cannot measure directly the orbital speed of an asteroid. We can only observe changes in the angular position. **If** we know the distance (which might not be easily measurable) we can at least put a lower limit to the speed.

The basic steps to study the orbit of an asteroids are:

1. find it and try to get a first guess about the position and velocity (this requires multiple observations far enough in time to be able to measure an angular movement)
2. plug the position and velocity info (and likely their errors) into a computer simulation that simulate the solar system dynamics. Fast forward the simulation to predict the future orbit.
3. observe again the asteroid and compare its position with the simulation. Re-estimate position and velocity. Go to point 2.

As the orbit can change significantly a continuous interplay between 2. and 3. is necessary.

Once you have an orbit you can estimate the probability for the asteroid to pass near enough to the Moon or Earth to be deflected and hit us.

But thankfully the solar system is huge, we are tiny and moving between the much much larger Sun and Jupiter :D


---

