Photo: NASA Hubble Space Telescope
Space science has taken a new turn with the evolution of Artificial Intelligence. AI has claimed 27,000 new asteroids in space.
This claim was achieved via collaboration. This collaboration was between the Google Cloud and the University of Washington, Asteroid Institute.
The images from the National Optical-Ifrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRlab) were reviewed. This was done through the use of Tracklet-less Heliocentric Orbit Recovery (THOR). THOR is an AI algorithm meant for such analysis. By using this method the previously missed asteroids were identified.
The discovery represented a scary result. As per the analysis around 100 asteroids are located very near to Earth. These asteroids can hit our planet due to their proximity to our planet.
The remaining asteroids were at different locations. However, the researchers studied that numerous Asteroids are located between Mars and Jupiter. The Asteroid belt region there already has 1.3 million asteroids.
The use of THOR has revolutionized the space study. Its capability to study the old location of asteroids and their movement along with relating it to the present location is indeed incredible. THOR studies old data and patterns. These patterns link to different light points on multiple images. The patterns reveal the same moving Asteroid. The traditional method involved rigorous scanning of the sky with a telescope. With the use of these telescopes, the moving objects were studied.
Thus the use of AI and particularly THOR have made the process not only efficient but faster as well.
The study required storage of a large amount of data. Moreover, complex calculation was also involved. The required storage capacity was achieved by the use of Google Cloud Computational power and data storage.
The use of AI algorithms for space study reveals the potential of the technology in the space industry. Cloud technology can also prove to be beneficial in scientific discoveries. The use of both in combination can help researchers study the solar system in detail.
The project is indeed significant. The discoveries have somewhat displayed the solar system. Earth is in danger. Prior arrangements can be made to protect our planet from Asteroid collisions.
Artificial Intelligence and Google Cloud have set the stage for future research. Space science can make use of similar technology to advance further.
