Orfeo Programme

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/orfeo-programme

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is Orfeo Programme known for?Provides critical data for risk assessment and the development of mitigation strategies
2. What is the observational strategy?Combines systematic sky surveys with follow-up observations using ground-based and space-based telescopes
3. Why does Orfeo look for space rocks?Space rocks can sometimes crash into Earth and cause damage. Orfeo helps find them early so scientists can plan how to avoid or stop a crash.
4. How does Orfeo find these space rocks?It uses big ground‑based telescopes and space observatories that scan the sky, looking for moving objects that stand out from stars.

Near-Earth Objects (NEOs): Celestial bodies, primarily asteroids and comets, whose orbits bring them into close proximity with Earth's orbital path.
Potentially Hazardous Objects (PHOs): NEOs that meet specific criteria for size and orbital proximity, indicating a potential risk of impact.
Planetary Defense: A global effort encompassing the detection, tracking, and potential mitigation of asteroid and comet impacts on Earth.