Asteroids
Latest about Asteroids
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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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Goodnight moon! Astronomers snap photo of Earth's departing mini-moon
By Robert Lea published
Astronomers used the Two-meter Twin Telescope to catch a "see-you-soon" image of the asteroid 2024 PT5 as it ended its stint as Earth's second moon on Monday (Nov. 25).
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Earth's mini-moon has finally departed. Will it ever return as a 'second moon?'
By Robert Lea published
Departing on Monday (Nov. 25), Earth's recent "mini-moon" asteroid 2024 PT5 didn't stick around for Thanksgiving, but don't be sad. It will be back... but will it ever be a second moon again?
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Asteroid pieces brought to Earth help reveal how our solar system's planets and moons grew
By Victoria Corless published
Samples collected from the near-Earth asteroid Ryugu have revealed clues about a primordial magnetic field that helped asteroids, planets and moons grow in our solar system.
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An asteroid hit Earth just hours after being detected. It was the 3rd 'imminent impactor' of 2024
By Brett Tingley published
A small asteroid burned up in Earth's atmosphere off the coast of California just hours after being discovered and before impact monitoring systems had registered its trajectory.
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'God of chaos' asteroid may be transformed by tremors and landslides during 2029 flyby of Earth, study finds
By Deepa Jain published
When the 'God of chaos' asteroid Apophis makes an ultraclose flyby of Earth in 2029, our planet's gravity may trigger tremors and landslides that totally change the asteroid's surface.
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Mysterious features on asteroid Vesta may be explained by saltwater
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Temporary flows of saltwater could explain mysterious gullies and fan-shaped deposits spotted across asteroid Vesta.
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A meteorite 200 times bigger than the dinosaur-killing asteroid helped life on Earth flourish
By Robert Lea published
The destructive power of asteroids is undeniable — just ask the dinosaurs. New research suggests a huge space rock that struck Earth over 3 billion years ago may have benefitted early life.
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