Asteroids
Latest about Asteroids
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.
Is asteroid Psyche actually a planetary core? James Webb Space Telescope results cast doubt
By Keith Cooper published
The presence of hydrated minerals, including possibly water-ice, might indicate an unexpected origin for Psyche, far from the sun.
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.
Over 350 asteroids have hidden moons, Gaia space telescope finds
By Robert Lea published
By precisely tracking the orbit of over 156,000 asteroids, the ESA star-surveying satellite Gaia has potentially found over 350 previously undiscovered asteroid-moon binaries.
NASA's DART asteroid impact mission revealed ages of twin space rock targets (images)
By Robert Lea published
Scientists have analyzed images of the twin asteroids Didymos and Dimorphous taken by NASA's DART mission before it impacted the smaller space rock, revealing their age and origins.
Asteroid Apophis will visit Earth in 2029, and this European satellite will be along for the ride
By Keith Cooper published
As Apophis passes closer to Earth than geosynchronous satellites in April 2029, the asteroid will hopefully be tracked by a new ESA mission called Ramses.
China plans to deflect an asteroid by 2030 to showcase Earth protection skills
By Robert Lea published
China aims to launch its first planetary defense mission by 2030, to showcase the skills needed to nudge a dangerous asteroid away from Earth.
Jumping on an asteroid: How VR is being used to visit worlds we can never reach
By Jackson Ryan published
At the 2024 Astronomical Society of Australia's Annual Scientific Meeting, I got to walk on an asteroid in virtual reality. Here's what I found in Ryugu World.
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