NASA ran a focused asteroid observation using the HAARP facility in Alaska, with findings reported by the University of Alaska Fairbanks. HAARP, historically an experimental radio array in Alaska, comprises hundreds of antennas designed to emit signals toward the ionosphere. In this recent effort, the setup doubled as a platform for additional scientific missions. The team transmitted a signal toward the near Earth asteroid 2010 XC15 and detected a reflected echo, signaling successful two way communication at very low frequencies. The asteroid is estimated to be roughly 170 meters across and is known to cross the path near Earth at roughly twice the Earth’s distance to the Moon during its orbital cycle. This observation marks a notable shift in methods for studying small celestial bodies from ground facilities previously focused on higher frequencies. The project team stresses that the data collection spanned a full 12 hours, providing a substantial window to analyze the interaction between the radio waves and the asteroid’s surface characteristics. The researchers began processing the results with the expectation of publicizing findings in the subsequent months, aiming to publish a comprehensive report on the implications for asteroid science and planetary defense. Mark Haynes, a radar systems engineer and project researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, emphasized that this experiment represented the first attempt to observe asteroids at such low radio frequencies. The decameter range at which HAARP typically operates allows scientists to compare surface reflections with signals that do not penetrate deeply into the interior. By extending observations to longer wavelengths, researchers hope to infer the asteroid’s internal structure and material composition, which could contribute to improved assessment of any potential threat and the design of early warning strategies. The overarching objective for the team is to convert the data into a robust capability for characterizing asteroid properties, ultimately supporting planetary defense planning and risk assessment against possible impacts. The project team also envisions expanding the scope of HAARP related experiments to broaden the understanding of how radio waves interact with small bodies in the solar system, potentially enhancing fleet opposition or mitigation strategies should a hazardous object approach Earth. The effort reflects ongoing collaboration across NASA labs, academic institutions, and field facilities to leverage ground based sensing for space object characterization and defense planning. Historical notes indicate that the HAARP complex has been associated with additional ionospheric research programs, and future communications suggest extended exploration of Jupiter’s ionosphere as part of a broad research agenda. Emphatically, the researchers underscore that continued study is essential for refining techniques that can detect subtle surface features and establish more reliable models of asteroid behavior as they traverse the inner solar system, contributing to a safer planetary landscape for Canada and the United States alike.
