Near-Earth Object Tracking: The Automated Sky Survey Systems

Near-Earth Object (NEO) tracking represents humanitys growing ability to detect, monitor, and potentially defend against asteroids and comets that come close to Earths orbit. Automated sky survey systems like ATLAS, Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and the new Rubin Observatory form a global network that continuously scans the skies, discovering thousands of NEOs each year and providing crucial early warning time for potentially hazardous objects. These sophisticated systems combine advanced optics, high-speed computing, and international collaboration to protect our planet from cosmic threats while advancing our understanding of the solar system.