Asteroids
Latest about Asteroids
Asteroid-comet chimera Chiron has an unusual ice mix, James Webb Space Telescope finds
By Keith Cooper published
An object that orbits in the space between Jupiter and Neptune has chemistry that could tell us more about the birth of the solar system.
2 huge asteroid strikes 36 million years ago didn't change Earth's climate over the long haul, study finds
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Two giant asteroids that struck Earth about 36 million years ago did not cause any long-lasting shifts to our planet's climate, according to new research.
James Webb Space Telescope finds smallest asteroids ever seen between Mars and Jupiter
By Kiona N. Smith published
A team of astronomers just spotted dozens of tiny asteroids in JWST date — including the smallest ever seen in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Car-size asteroid will zip between Earth and the moon tonight
By Tereza Pultarova published
A car-sized asteroid will pass us at about half the distance between Earth and its moon tonight (Dec. 6).
Scientists find secret comet in the asteroid belt — how many others are there?
By Keith Cooper published
Main-belt comets that scientists keep finding could provide new insights into the birth of our solar system.
'Spectacular' asteroid blazes over Siberia just hours after it was detected
By Pandora Dewan published
A small asteroid lit up the skies over northern Siberia Wednesday (Dec. 4) after burning up in Earth's atmosphere in a "spectacular" (yet harmless) fireball.
'It's like taking a picture of lightning': How astronomers raced to track the smallest asteroid ever seen
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
2022 WJ1 was only the sixth asteroid to be detected prior to striking Earth, and the smallest space rock ever seen.
Asteroid the size of 3 million elephants zooms past Earth
By Josh Dinner published
A big asteroid zoomed past Earth and the moon early Dec. 4, setting it up for another close pass in 2028.
Why we can't just name a quasi-moon 'Moony McMoonface'
By Monisha Ravisetti published
You can vote on one of seven possible names for a quasi-moon of Earth and, unfortunately, Moony McMoonface isn't on the list.
Tiny asteroid detected hours before hitting Earth to become 4th 'imminent impactor' of 2024
By Brett Tingley published
A tiny asteroid measuring some 27 inches (70 cm) wide was detected on a collision course with Earth above Siberia. It is expected to burn up harmlessly on the morning of Dec. 3, 2024.
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