Hunt the Asteroids | The Schools' Observatory

How do we find asteroids? Knowing how to find asteroids is important so that we can watch for their orbits and protect the Earth should one get too close!

This activity will show you how we find asteroids and even how to calculate their speed!

By the end of this resource you will:

Know how we watch for asteroids
Have used astronomical software to open a data image
Used software to blink through images and look for changes
Have analysed data to find asteroids

To complete this resource you will need:

A computer
The data files (below)
Access to LTImage or AstroLab software to open and analyse images
Instructions for using your chosen software (below)
Worksheet for your chosen software (below)
A calculator
The extra data files if required (below)

Files or Documents

Hunt the Asteroids - Data Files

Hunt the Asteroids - Extra Data

Hunt the Asteroids - LTImage Worksheet

Hunt the Asteroids - AstroLab Worksheet

Hunt the Asteroids - Instructions for using LTImage

Hunt the Asteroids - Instructions for using AstroLab

A close view of Eros asteroid showing a grey and cratered surface.

This work by NASA is licensed under Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal

Approx Duration

30 - 60 mins

Have a go

Before starting this activity, you may want to familiarise yourself with what asteroids actually are by watching this video:

What are asteroids and comets?

And why we need to keep an eye on them in this video:

What are the risks of asteroids?

You can carry out this activity using either LTImage or AstroLab software – use this guide to choose which you will use, and if you are planning to use LTImage, follow the instructions to download it on your machine!

Step 1. Watch the above videos

Step 2. Choose which software you are going to use and download the appropriate instruction sheet from the file list above

Step 3. Follow the instruction sheet to open, scale, and blink your images

– if you’d like a video to help you do this, then we have one for AstroLab and LTImage, which you can follow along

Step 4. Follow the instruction sheets to help you spot your asteroid!

Congratulations – you’ve found an asteroid!

Extension activities:

Step 5. Follow the instructions in the worksheet above (for LTImage or AstroLab) to work out how far your asteroid has travelled

Step 6. Follow the instructions in the worksheet to calculate how fast the asteroid is travelling

Well done!

Now you’ve found this asteroid, why not have a go with some more difficult data too? Use the 'Hunt the Asteroids - Extra Data' and repeat these steps.

If you liked this, why not try

Making your own impact crater

Keeping watch on asteroids

Creating a scale map of the Solar System

Have a go

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