SNOOS: Small Near-Earth Object Observing System


Home    Definitions    Problem Statement    Project Development    Deliverables    Team Members    References

Definitions and Acronyms

AU Astronomical Unit (149.6M km); Distance between Earth and Sun
Countermeasure Physical mitigation technology applied to an avoidable object
Impact Response Mitigation activities for responding to unavoidable objects
NEA Near Earth Asteroid
NEO Near Earth Object; Comets and asteroids whose closest orbital approach is within 1.3AU of the sun
PHO Potentially Hazardous Object; NEOs within 0.05 AU of the earth's orbit that could cause substantial damage to the Earth
Absolute Magnitude (H) NEO visible signature at 1AU; measure of brightness