Asteroids
Latest about Asteroids
Asteroid slams into Earth triggering stunning green 'fireball' above the Philippines — 8 hours after it was 1st spotted
By Harry Baker published
On Wednesday (Sept. 4), astronomers spotted a never-before-seen asteroid, 2024 RW1, around eight hours before it entered Earth's atmosphere. The "harmless" space rock quickly burned up as predicted, creating a bright green streak across the night sky before spectacularly exploding.
Fallout from NASA's asteroid-smashing DART mission could hit Earth — potentially triggering 1st human-caused meteor shower
By Harry Baker published
A new study suggests that millions of tiny space rock fragments, which were ejected from the 2022 collision between asteroid Dimorphos and NASA's DART spacecraft, may be on a collision course with Earth and Mars.
Dinosaur-killing asteroid was a rare rock from beyond Jupiter, new study reveals
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists have uncovered the "genetic fingerprint" of the dinosaur-killing Chicxulub impactor, potentially revealing the fateful rock's origins in the outer reaches of our solar system.
$100,000 quadrillion asteroid Psyche may be rusting, James Webb telescope reveals
By Deepa Jain published
A new James Webb Space Telescope analysis of the giant, metal-rich asteroid Psyche reveals signs of hydration in the form of rust. This could help pin down the mysterious rock's origins.
Over 350 asteroids have hidden moons, Gaia space telescope finds
By Robert Lea published
The European Space Agency's Gaia space telescope has found evidence of more than 350 previously unknown moons orbiting asteroids within our solar system.
NASA shuts down down asteroid-hunting NEOWISE telescope as the sun drags it to its doom
By Brandon Specktor published
NASA's asteroid-hunting NEOWISE space telescope will soon plunge into Earth's atmosphere and burn to bits. Here's a look back at its epic mission that defied all expectations.
Weird, 'watermelon shape' asteroids like Dimorphos and Selam may finally have an explanation
By Abha Jain published
New research finds why some asteroids have weird, watermelon-shaped moons trapped in orbit around them, contrary to what typical asteroid formation theories predict.
NASA discovers secret moon orbiting nearby 'planet killer' asteroid after recent close approach to Earth
By Harry Baker published
New NASA images of a mountain-size, "planet killer" asteroid that made its closest approach to Earth last month have revealed a surprise companion circling the massive space rock.
Earth's gravity knocked pyramid-size asteroid off course during recent ultra-close flyby, NASA images reveal
By Harry Baker published
New photos of the recently discovered asteroid 2024 MK, which zoomed past Earth in late June, reveal that the massive space rock's orbit has been significantly altered by its close approach to our planet.
Newly discovered asteroid larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza will zoom between Earth and the moon on Saturday
By Brandon Specktor published
On Saturday (June 29), an asteroid larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza will fly past Earth at about three-quarters the distance from Earth to the moon. The asteroid, named 2024 MK, poses no risk to our planet.
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