The basic idea
TESS does not invent asteroid warnings. It organizes public data, local observatory readiness, and mission status into practical displays that help people understand what is happening.
Public Guide 02
How TESS Detects Threats
TESS supports public awareness by combining official near-Earth object data, observatory readiness checks, and clear mission dashboards into one understandable workflow.
Evidence before alarm
A dashboard notice is not an impact prediction. Every public statement should trace back to authoritative sources and current observations.
Practical workflow
Use official feeds
Start with NASA/JPL, Minor Planet Center, IAWN, and other authoritative sources.
Check freshness
Confirm that data timestamps and dashboard feeds are current before interpreting them.
Compare context
Look at size estimates, miss distance, velocity, uncertainty, and time until close approach.
Check readiness
Confirm whether observatory, AllSky, communication, and website systems are healthy.
Explain plainly
Translate technical data into calm public language without exaggeration.
Escalate carefully
Only elevate concern when evidence and official sources support it.
What TESS can show
- Closest public close-approach summaries.
- Mission dashboard health and data freshness.
- Links back to NASA/JPL and other official sources.
What TESS should avoid
- Claiming official warning authority.
- Presenting stale data as current.
- Turning routine close approaches into panic language.
Authoritative sources
Use official sources first. TESS pages are public education and mission-support summaries, not official emergency orders.