asteroid
Latest about asteroid

Quadrantid meteor shower 2024: The year's 1st meteor shower blazes over North America on Jan. 3
By Jamie Carter published
Up to 120 shooting stars per hour could be visible during a brief peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower — the year's first meteor shower, coming to North America Jan. 3 and 4.

The 8 most Earth-shattering asteroid discoveries of 2023
By Brandon Specktor published
This year was one of the biggest ever for asteroid science, with NASA's triumphant return from asteroid Bennu, the grand reveal of organic molecules from asteroid Ryugu, a close look at the gory aftermath of an asteroid collision, and more.

Editor's pick: The top space stories of 2023
By Brandon Specktor published
Aliens made headlines in 2023, but are we really any closer to finding life beyond Earth? A recap of the best new evidence, and other remarkable stories from the year in space.

Earth's intense gravity may rip space rocks apart, reducing the risk of 'planet killer' asteroids
By Abha Jain published
Earth and other terrestrial planets probably use their gravitational forces to tear apart asteroids ― but this creates more streams of smaller asteroids.

'What is that material?': Potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu stumps scientists with its odd makeup
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists found signs of organic molecules in the first samples of potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu, as well as a 'head scratching' material that has yet to be identified.

Sample of 'potentially hazardous' asteroid Bennu, which may contain the seeds of life, arrives in UK for analysis
By Ben Turner published
A sample from the asteroid Bennu, collected by the OSIRIS-REx mission, has arrived at London's Natural History Museum for analysis. Scientists are optimistic that it could contain the seeds of life.

'Planet killer' asteroids are hiding in the sun's glare. Can we stop them in time?
By Brandon Specktor published
Feature In the glare of the sun, an unknown number of near-Earth asteroids move on unseen orbits. A new generation of space telescopes could be our best defense against potential disaster.

Newfound 'moon' around asteroid Dinkinesh is actually two tiny moons touching
By Joanna Thompson published
Additional images from NASA's Lucy mission reveal that the "moon" orbiting asteroid Dinkinesh is actually a contact binary, made of two smaller moons touching.

NASA flyby of "Dinky" asteroid reveals hidden moon
By Brandon Specktor published
NASA's Lucy spacecraft has found a hidden asteroid "moon" swirling around the larger main belt asteroid Dinkinesh, affectionately known as Dinky.

NASA reveals 1st sample collected from potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu to public — and it may contain the seeds of life
By Ben Turner published
The sample from the asteroid Bennu, collected by the OSIRIS-REx mission, was unveiled at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., on Friday.
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