The search for NEOs(or “Near─Earth

The search for NEOs(or “Near─Earth Objects”)has intensified greatly within the emergence of a virtual army of amateur astronomers .By combining their observations into a single database at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, “backyard scientists” are capable of accurately determining the orbits and motions of asteroids that could hit the Earth. Indeed, in recent years much of the burden for accurately evaluating the risks posed by NEOs has been shouldered by amateur astronomers. Therefore, we should reserve larger, professional telescopes for uses other than finding NEOs.