Comprehensive Characterization of Repeating Close-Flyby NEAs to Identify Future Asteroid-Mining Candidates

Project Description:

The objective of this project is to identify and thoroughly characterise all sub-300m NEAs observable with a 1.0-meter class telescope from Sutherland during 2024/2025, that are also predicted to undergo multiple close flybys of Earth in the next century. These small multi-flyby asteroids could potentially serve as candidates for future capture missions, making it crucial to ascertain as many of their physical properties (such as rotation period, taxonomic type, and shape) as possible to identify the most suitable candidates for space-mining attempts.

Research Area:

Astronomy

Project Level:

Masters

This Project Is Offered At The Following Node(s):

(UCT)

Special Requirements:

The project is open to students from the UCT NASSP node and requires full-time presence during work hours at the SAAO campus in Cape Town for a minimum of 12 months of the MSc project. Co-supervision will be arranged after discussion with the student. During the project several trips to Sutherland may be required. All expenses, including travel, accommodation and food will be provided during the Sutherland trips. The student will be expected to work in a team environment with other astronomers (and software developers, and electronic/mechanical engineers if needed). Programming experience in Python is essential and previous observing experience will be advantageous.