Asteroids
Latest about Asteroids
![DART's final moments before it crashed into Dimorphos's surface.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fwwqF7ZgERFwo6p8ZisLK8-320-80.gif)
Watch NASA's DART spacecraft hit 'bullseye' by smashing into an asteroid
By Ben Turner published
This is the first ever test of the Earth's planetary defence system
![An artist's depiction of the DART spacecraft approaching Dimorphos, with the larger Didymos in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hLoWhzLoTE9hqz5bpgE6fb-320-80.jpeg)
NASA just redirected an asteroid by smashing a spacecraft into it
By Ben Turner last updated
The test will help scientists learn how to stop catastrophic asteroid impacts.
![Illustration of NASA's DART spacecraft prior to impact with the Didymos binary system.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wYy2EWN8XGmQQXXsyQJJPJ-320-80.jpg)
NASA will smash its DART spacecraft into an asteroid on Monday. Here's how to watch.
By Ben Turner published
The test will provide vital information on how to stop catastrophic asteroid impacts.
![Experts with the UK Meteor Network said that the fireball was probably a space rock that broke off from an asteroid.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6DdidKYQ4BvjgSPhP5dEhN-320-80.jpg)
Blazing fireball illuminates skies over Scotland and Northern Ireland
By JoAnna Wendel published
Astronomers say the fireball was likely caused by a space rock the size of a golf ball disintegrating in Earth’s atmosphere.
![The asteroid Didymos and its moonlet Dimorphos are shown in a composite image taken by DART's DRACO instrument on July 27, 2022.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WzvDgLUx5ivATFANNfbVpW-320-80.jpg)
NASA's asteroid-slamming DART spacecraft catches 1st look at target (photo)
By Stefanie Waldek published
Using its DRACO camera, DART has imaged the asteroid Didymos and its moonlet Dimorphos.
![An artist's impression of the popcorning pebbles on the parent body of the Aguas Zarcas meteorite. Small-scale rearrangements may be more important for asteroids than major space collisions.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iSwH8he6665TPPuZHKKC6Q-320-80.jpg)
Ancient asteroids are covered with popcorning pebbles, new study finds
By Stephanie Pappas published
Some asteroids are surrounded by swarms of pebbles. A new study reveals why.
![3D illustration of an asteroid in space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Vn4LHzBNreFto3ZJPJJrnG-320-80.jpg)
A 'potentially hazardous' blue-whale-size asteroid will zip through Earth's orbit on Friday
By Ben Turner last updated
The asteroid is being tracked by NASA and isn’t a danger to Earth.
![This artistic concept image shows an asteroid flying by Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/odP56cNpSSFkqKDveXyKUV-320-80.jpg)
Surprise! Asteroid wider than 2 football fields is barreling toward Earth tonight
By Brandon Specktor last updated
NASA astronomers discovered that a large asteroid will zoom past Earth on Aug. 4, missing our planet by millions of miles.
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