The ongoing exhibition at the Nature Museum delves into the intriguing realm of asteroids, shedding light on both the potential opportunities and risks posed by these celestial bodies.
Running until August, the exhibition unfolds through three distinct themes. The first part unravels the mysteries of meteorites, serving as witnesses to the solar system's formation and providing insights into its origin.
Physicist Eric Buttini, the curator of the exhibition, presents the second section, which focuses on the potential dangers associated with meteorites.
"Initially, we introduce visitors to the dangers asteroids and meteorites and how they could pose a threat to Earth. Then, we showcase ways we could prevent a meteorite from reaching Earth," explains Buttini.
While Buttini assures that currently, there are no discovered asteroids on a collision course with Earth, he emphasises ongoing projects that continually monitor the skies for potential threats.
In the event of an impending collision, Buttini suggests altering the trajectory of the meteorite as the primary solution. This can be achieved by manipulating either its mass or speed. Notably, he highlights a recent experiment conducted a year and a half ago, wherein a space probe collided with an asteroid orbiting another asteroid. The results indicated a successful alteration of the asteroid's speed, extending its orbit duration by nine minutes.
However, Buttini acknowledges the considerable challenges scientists face in redirecting a large asteroid on a collision course with Earth, emphasising that significant advancements are still needed in this area.
Exploring space resources
The third segment of the exhibition is dedicated to the topic of space resources, aiming to elucidate the concept of using raw materials from space and the potential benefits associated with such endeavours.
According to Buttini, an initial phase would probably focus on using oxygen and water to establish a permanent moon base. Moving forward, the exhibition delves into the prospect of harnessing resources from asteroids. These resources may include precious metals or chemical substances vital for technological advancements, potentially contributing to bridging socioeconomic disparities, as Buttini suggests.
Buttini explains that as society's economically disadvantaged members aspire to improve their circumstances, the availability of resources becomes crucial. However, recognising the environmental consequences of excessive terrestrial resource exploitation, Buttini proposes that tapping into space resources could offer a sustainable solution to this dilemma.
Finally, the exhibition sheds light on Luxembourg's involvement in the space sector, highlighting companies and institutions actively contributing to the exploration and utilisation of space resources.
Full presentation of the exhibition by Eric Buttini (in Luxembourgish)
