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> Bigger object should reflect more light, making detection more likely. That assumes that the detection is photon constrained and not "nobody is looking in mo
by krisoft 2y ago
> Bigger object should reflect more light, making detection more likely.
That assumes that the detection is photon constrained and not "nobody is looking in most directions" constrained.
It doesn't matter even if the asteroid is carrying a lit magnesium torch if nobody is looking for it systematically.
I'm not saying that it is the case. In fact I'm asking: are we photon constrained or are we constrained by the rate we are scanning the sky?
- svachalek 2y agoBoth, but in practice the coverage of dangerous sized objects is pretty good already and when the Vera Rubin Observatory goes online it will get an order of magnitude better.