US 8,947,524 B2 · Method of predicting a trajectory of an asteroid

Abstract

Disclosed are a system, a method and an apparatus of predicting a trajectory of an asteroid. In one embodiment, a method of predicting a trajectory of an asteroid near a celestial object, includes continuously monitoring, through a high-definition camera optimized for space viewing, an unlimited expanse of space as visible from a location of the high-definition camera optimized for space viewing. The method also includes detecting a change in a light intensity of one of a plurality of stars. In addition, the method includes determining that the light intensity of a star has changed beyond a threshold parameter. The method further includes detecting an occultation, through a discriminating sensor, when the change in the light intensity of the star is determined. On detecting occultation, the method includes recording a set of properties associated with the occultation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of predicting a trajectory of an asteroid near a celestial object, comprising:

continuously monitoring, through a high-definition camera optimized for space viewing, an unlimited expanse of space as visible from a location of the high-definition camera optimized for space viewing;
detecting a change in a light intensity of one of a plurality of stars;
determining that the light intensity of a star has changed beyond a threshold parameter;
detecting an occultation, through a discriminating sensor, when the change in the light intensity of the star is determined;
recording a set of properties associated with the occultation;
positioning a set of high-definition cameras optimized for space viewing throughout the celestial object to observe occultations of the plurality of stars surrounding the celestial object;
and
predicting a trajectory of the asteroid causing the occultations based on a set of data gathered from the set of high-definition cameras optimized for space-viewing.

5 more elements

A method of estimating a location of an asteroid, comprising:

observing a portion of an unlimited expanse of space through a high-definition camera optimized for space viewing at a recording station;
determining a change in a light intensity emanating from at least one of a plurality of stars, through a discriminating sensor of the high-definition camera optimized for space viewing;
detecting an occultation when the change in the light intensity emanating from a star is greater than a predetermined threshold parameter;
positioning a plurality of recording stations at strategic locations throughout a celestial object to cover a maximum area of the unlimited expanse of space;
and
calculating a value for a property of the asteroid based on a set of information gathered from the plurality of recording stations.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of predicting a trajectory of an asteroid

Life of this patent

Method of predicting a trajectory of an asteroid

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20