Planetary Defense Workshop

Join us for another edition of “Look Up it is an Asteroid” at the NSS ISDC 2025, where we’re turning science fiction into real science so you can help us defend Earth from potentially killer asteroids. Are you curious about whether there is a current probability of Asteroid Apophis impacting Earth in 2029? A new asteroid alert: 2024 YR4 was initially flagged as potentially impacting Earth on December 22, 2032. However, thanks to observations from the James Webb Space Telescope, what is the current probability? Did you know that experts recently estimated a 3.8% chance of 2024 YR4 impacting the Moon?! In our interactive Special Session Workshop, experts will answer these questions and discuss the newest advancements, challenges, and future directions in planetary defense, safeguarding not only Earth but also extending our reach to the Moon and beyond. This year, Nancy C. Wolfson, founder of the Planetary Defense and Beyond Program – Look Up it is an Asteroid – will highlight both how our attendees and the next generation can actively participate in NEO discovery efforts through the Astrometrica software, and how non-governmental organizations can be an important voice for the future of planetary defense, also supporting the crucial work of our space agencies. Together, we can help protect the future of humanity on Earth, the Moon, and beyond!