James Webb Telescope Discovers 138 New Asteroids in Main Belt

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected 138 new asteroids in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Using infrared technology and image stacking techniques on over 10,000 JWST observations, researchers identified these previously undetected objects, ranging in size from that of a bus to a stadium. These asteroids offer insights into the formation of the solar system, asteroid mapping, and the dynamic evolution of the solar system. While most remain in the main belt, some could become Earth-crossers, raising planetary defense considerations. Historically, asteroid impacts have had catastrophic consequences, such as the Chicxulub impactor 66 million years ago. Strategies to monitor and deflect potentially hazardous asteroids include NASA's DART mission, ground and space-based observatories, and computer simulations. This discovery highlights the JWST's potential for space exploration and enhances our understanding and monitoring of celestial objects.