NASA's NEOWISE is a space telescope designed to survey and identify near-Earth objects (NEOs), such as asteroids and comets. Launched in 2009, it initially served as the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) before being repurposed in 2013 to focus on tracking these potentially hazardous objects. The telescope uses infrared technology to detect the heat emitted by celestial bodies, allowing it to spot objects that are too dark to be seen in visible light. By cataloging NEOs, NEOWISE helps scientists assess their orbits and potential risks to Earth, contributing to planetary defense efforts.