376E-412-Tiny Space Rock

376E-412-Tiny Space Rock

Author: Albert D. Grauer February 17, 2026 Duration: 2:01
Eighteen hours before my Catalina Sky Survey teammate Rose Matheny first spotted a small space rock with our Schmidt telescope on Mt. Bigelow, Arizona it had passed less than the Earth's diameter from the surface of our planet. Rose was able to discover this Smart Car sized space rock after it moved out of the Sun's glare. At this point it was about the Moon's distance from her and was traveling away at 3.4 mi/s. After Rose posted her discovery observations on the Minor Planet Center's Near Earth Object Confirmation page, for the next 24 hours it was tracked by telescopes in Spain, Illinois, and Arizona. Scientists at the Minor Planet Center used these data to calculate it's orbit around the Sun, estimate it's size and give it the name 2017 UJ2. This small asteroid had come near the Earth in 1978 but was invisible to the technology which astronomers had available at the time. 2017 UJ2 will not come close enough for us to detect in the foreseeable future, however, there are likely to be tens of millions of others like it which can come close to Earth. A small asteroid the size of Rose's discovery is likely to enter our atmosphere at least once a year and explodes at about 4 times higher than airliners fly. If such an event happened at night and you were lucky enough to see it you would be treated to a fantastic light show. If you are as lucky as a power ball winner you might even be able to find a piece of it on the ground.

Each episode of Travelers In The Night feels like a quiet, personal conversation under a dark sky. Hosted by astronomer Dr. Albert D. Grauer, this podcast brings the distant cosmos into sharp, intimate focus. Dr. Grauer isn't just an observer; he's an active participant in the hunt, working with the Catalina Sky Survey team that has consistently discovered near-Earth asteroids for years. In these brief and engaging segments, you'll hear firsthand accounts of what it's like to track these ancient celestial travelers-the asteroids and comets that silently pass by our world. The discussions move beyond simple facts to explore the real-world implications of these discoveries, from planetary defense to the sheer wonder of our dynamic solar system. Accompanied by the contemplative music of John Lyell's "Eternity," each installment offers a moment of calm reflection on humanity's place in the universe. It’s a perfect blend of grounded science and cosmic curiosity, making complex astronomical concepts accessible and deeply fascinating. For anyone who has ever looked up and wondered what's out there moving in the dark, this podcast provides a direct line to the front lines of discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Travelers In The Night
Podcast Episodes
324-Newborn Planets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Astronomers are able to view the rare occurrence of planets in formation with the ALMA radio telescope in Chile.
323-Big Splash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
An asteroid impacting into the ocean would create a big splash but not a tsunami.
322-Dust Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Tiny messengers from outer space enter our atmosphere every day. Collect your own beautiful micro-meteorite sample.
321-Dangereous Comet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Humanity should be ready in the unlikely but potentially catastrophic situation in which a comet comes out of nowhere and is heading for planet Earth.
320-WOW What a Ride [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A potentially hazardous asteroid crosses the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. It must be made of durable rocky material to survive its close approaches to the Sun.
319-Lost and Found [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
A 426 foot diameter asteroid is found after being lost for 15 years.
318-Caves of Mars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
It is intriguing to consider that deep inside Mars all of the necessary ingredients for life may be present together.
317-Psyche Water [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
The asteroid Psyche may be one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in the solar system.
316-Weird Centaur [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Centaurs are named after the mythical beasts which were half human and half horse perhaps because they have characteristics of both asteroids and comets.
315-See Comets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
2017 will be a good year to view comets with your unaided eye or a pair of binoculars.