Documentary backdrop image for Star Chasers: Tracking an Asteroid (2024)

202454 minPG-13documentary

scientific-research

Star Chasers: Tracking an Asteroid

202454 minPG-13documentary

In Senegal, astronomer Maram Kaire leads a team to gather critical data for NASA's Lucy mission, while exploring the region's rich astronomical heritage.

scientific-research

Genres

Channel: NOVA PBS Official

Star Chasers: Tracking an Asteroid

2024• 54 minPG-13

Synopsis

In Senegal, astronomer Maram Kaire leads a team to gather critical data for NASA's Lucy mission, while exploring the region's rich astronomical heritage.

Synopsis

NASA's Lucy spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral on a mission to explore the Trojans, a group of asteroids believed to provide insights into the solar system's origins. In Senegal, a team of scientists led by astronomer Maram Kaire conducts precise observations essential for guiding Lucy to its targets. The documentary highlights Senegal's rich astronomical heritage, tracing its history back thousands of years while emphasizing the significance of scientific contributions from the Islamic world and ancient practices in astronomy.

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