ARMET

Active Research for Meteor Targeting

We are Celeste y Blanca Space. We provide a web (visual) and educational tool capable of informing, raising awareness and preparing for possible threats from nearby asteroids

🌍 Meteorites Near Earth

Updated data of the closest celestial bodies detected during the present.

☄️ 99942 Apophis

Minimum distance:
31,600 km (above Earth's surface)
Relative velocity:
≈(to be defined)
Estimated size:
≈ 340 m diameter
Approximate mass:
≈(to be defined)
Composition:
Silicate (olivine, pyroxene, iron and nickel)
Date of maximum approach:
2029 32,000km

☄️ Asteroid 2024 YR₄

Minimum distance:
≈ 384,000 km (approximately Moon's distance)
Relative velocity:
(to be defined)
Estimated size:
≈ 40–90 m diameter
Approximate mass:
Not precisely determined (estimated in millions of tons)
Type and composition:
Apollo type asteroid, rocky (silicates with metallic traces)
Date of maximum approach:
2032 (will pass near lunar orbit)

⭐ Historically Known Meteorites

List of the most relevant meteorites documented by international observatories.

☄️ Chicxulub (Mexico)

☄️ Chicxulub (Mexico)

Location:
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Geological age:
≈ 66 million years
Asteroid size:
Between 10 and 15 km in diameter
Crater diameter:
≈ 180 km
Energy released:
Equivalent to several billion Hiroshima atomic bombs
Impact consequences:
Caused global fires, tsunamis and drastic climate change that caused the extinction of 75% of species, including dinosaurs.

☄️ Hoba

🪨 Hoba Meteorite (Namibia)

Location:
Near Grootfontein, Namibia
Discovery:
1920
Type:
Siderite (iron–nickel)
Size:
≈ 2.7 meters wide
Estimated weight:
≈ 60 tons
Notable features:
It is the largest meteorite found intact on Earth. It left no visible crater upon impact, possibly due to its low fall velocity.

☄️ Bennu

☄️ Asteroid Bennu (101955)

Location:
Near-Earth orbit (NEA, Near-Earth Asteroid)
Discovery:
1999
Type:
Siderite (rocky–metallic)
Size:
≈ 482 meters in diameter
Space mission:
Target of NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, which collected and brought samples to Earth in 2023.
Notable features:
Nearly spherical asteroid with rocky surface. It is studied for its scientific value and low probability of future impact, especially towards the end of the 21st century.

☄️ 4 Vesta

🪐 Asteroid (4) Vesta

Location:
Main asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter)
Discovery:
1807 by Heinrich Olbers
Type:
Rocky (type V)
Dimension:
≈ 525 km in diameter
Notable features:
One of the largest bodies in the asteroid belt. Source of HED meteorites (howardites, eucrites and diogenites) and visited by NASA's DAWN probe (2011–2012).

☄️ Chelyabinsk (2013, Russia)

☄️ Chelyabinsk Meteorite (Russia)

Location:
Chelyabinsk region, Russia
Discovery / Event:
February 15, 2013
Type:
Ordinary chondrite (LL5)
Dimension:
≈ 20 meters in diameter
Notable features:
Exploded in Earth's atmosphere releasing a large amount of energy. The shock wave damaged thousands of buildings and injured over 1,000 people. It was one of the most documented impact events of the modern era.

Mitigation

NASA leads global efforts to protect Earth from possible asteroid impacts. In 2016 it created the Planetary Defense Office, responsible for detecting, tracking and, if necessary, deflecting dangerous objects that may come too close to our planet.

What are Near-Earth Objects (NEO)?

They are asteroids or comets that orbit the Sun and that, in certain trajectories, can pass close to or even collide with Earth.

What does NASA do to prevent impacts?

  • Detect and track asteroids: Uses telescopes, radars and space missions like NEO Surveyor to find them, measure their size and know their trajectory.
  • Develop ways to deflect them: Creates simulations and technology to modify their course, as demonstrated by the DART mission.
  • Prepare for emergencies: Coordinates with agencies like FEMA to define response protocols for potential threats.
  • Collaborate with the world: Works with other international space agencies and educates the public about risks and possible solutions.

Real case: the DART mission

In 2022, NASA launched the DART mission, the first real test to check if it's possible to deflect an asteroid by impacting a spacecraft against it. The target was Dimorphos, a small asteroid that orbits Didymos. The spacecraft successfully impacted and managed to modify its orbit, demonstrating that, with sufficient time, a catastrophe can be avoided.

Featured technology in DART

  • SMART Nav: autonomous navigation system that guided the spacecraft and corrected its course in real time.
  • DRACO: high-precision optical camera to identify the target before impact.
  • NEXT-C ion propulsion: efficient engine designed for prolonged missions.

These technologies mark the beginning of a new era in planetary defense, showing that humanity can prepare and act against real cosmic threats.