Asteroids

VIDEO February 21

NASA tracking 'city-killer' asteroid expected to come near Earth in 2032

NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander Leroy Chiao discusses the latest track of the asteroid and how NASA is preparing.

Air And Space February 19

NASA looking for ways to destroy asteroid that could strike Earth, kill city

NASA and other space agencies are attempting to come up with a way to destroy a massive asteroid unlikely to strike Earth.

Asteroids February 18

Odds of massive asteroid striking Earth increase again: NASA

The chances of an asteroid as large as the width of an NFL field striking Earth continue to tick up, according to NASA.

New Mexico September 23

Scientists say X-rays from nuclear explosion may deflect asteroids from Earth

Scientists in New Mexico conducted several experiments and learned that asteroids can be deflected from Earth using explosions of nuclear warheads above the space rock's surface.

Dinosaurs August 16

Dinosaur-killing asteroid likely came from beyond Jupiter, study finds

The asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs after slamming into the Earth 66 million years ago is believed to have come from beyond Jupiter, a new study says.

AIR AND SPACE August 9

How to get the best view of the Perseids meteor shower

The annual Perseids meteor shower is expected to continue through September. Astronomers say it's one of the brightest and most visible meteor showers of the year.

SCIENCE April 11

Fireball lights up New Jersey sky days after eclipse and earthquake

The New Jersey night sky was lit up early Wednesday when an apparent meteor or falling star was captured dropping from above.

Asteroids March 20, 2024

NASA collision with asteroid Dimorphos changed both its trajectory and shape

NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test spacecraft showed that it is possible to change the trajectory of a celestial object, and data shows that the test asteroid's shape also changed.

US February 2, 2024

Asteroid larger than New York's Empire State Building to buzz Earth on Friday

An asteroid, dubbed 2008 OS7, about the size of a skyscraper, will pass within 1.7 million miles of Earth on Friday. Despite its size, it poses no threat, officials say.

NASA January 24, 2024

NASA reveals contents of asteroid sample canister whose lid was stuck

NASA has revealed the materials harvested from the asteroid Bennu after finally being able to remove the stuck lid from the OSIRIS-REx return capsule.

SCIENCE January 7, 2024

Lost asteroid 2007 FT3 unlikely to hit Earth in 2024, NASA says

A 54-million-ton asteroid that was previously believed to be headed toward Earth will not be hitting our planet this year, according to NASA.

LIFESTYLE January 4, 2024

NASA headquarters releases its best photos from 2023: See the stunning pictures

As many reflect on the year of 2023, NASA has released an array of remarkable images taken over the past 12 months. See the moments stood out in history.

Spaceflight December 28, 2023

2023 space stories: A review of the giant leaps mankind made in the past year

The year 2023 was full of space-related milestones, like more tourists brought to space, two Starship flights and the announcement of the Artemins II crew for a future moon mission.

NASA November 5, 2023

NASA surprised to discover 'dinky' moon orbiting asteroid in close flyby

NASA snapped a picture of an asteroid in an outer belt near Mars, which had a tiny moon orbiting the space rock called Dinkinesh. The photo was taken using the spacecraft Lucy.

Dinosaurs November 4, 2023

Dinosaurs may have been killed off by 'apocalyptic dust plume': study

A study argues that a dust cloud with dust grains the size of microscopic bacteria blanketed the earth the after the asteroid impact thought to have killed off dinosaurs.

Asteroids September 6, 2023

5 asteroids to pass Earth this week, including one as big as a house: NASA

NASA is anticipated five asteroids — including one as big as a house — to fly near Earth this week, though none will pose any danger.

Asteroids August 28, 2023

Videos capture fireball meteor lighting up Colorado’s early morning skies

A fiery meteor was spotted lighting up the sky above Colorado in the early morning hours of Sunday, according to multiple reports to the American Meteor Society.

Asteroids August 11, 2023

Perseid meteor shower peaks this weekend with ideal conditions

The Perseid meteor shower will peak late Saturday, NASA says. Viewing conditions will be ideal for skywatchers this year, and this year's moon will be a waning crescent.

Asteroids July 22, 2023

Hubble Space Telescope finds boulders potentially shaken off asteroid following DART experiment

NASA says the Hubble Space Telescope has found nearly 40 boulders that were potentially shaken off the asteroid Dimorphos following its DART test last year.

Asteroids July 21, 2023

Perseid Meteor Shower 2023: What skywatchers should know

One of the biggest meteor showers of the year is back through the end of next month. The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak in mid-August, when the moon will be just 10% full.

Asteroids June 27, 2023

NEO asteroid nearly the size of the Washington Monument set to zip past Earth

An asteroid roughly 30 feet (9 meters) shorter in diameter than the height of the Washington Monument will fly past Earth early Wednesday morning, coming within 2.1 million miles of the planet.

NASA June 23, 2023

Massive asteroid to pass by Earth this weekend

A three-story building sized asteroid that will pass by Earth 134,000 miles away on Sunday will be viewable on a livestream.

NASA May 18, 2023

NASA's Webb Space Telescope finds water around mysterious main belt comet

The James Webb Space Telescope has helped astronomers find gas around a comet in the main asteroid belt for the first time. NASA said the gas was water vapor.

Asteroids May 9, 2023

Webb Telescope snaps shot of first asteroid belt ever seen outside the solar system

Using the James Webb Space Telescope's capabilities, scientists captured the first asteroid belt seen outside the solar system – and it's more complex than expected.

Asteroids April 18, 2023

Lyrid meteor shower: When it peaks and how to watch it

The Lyrids meteor shower is expected to peak between April 22 and 23 this month. One of the oldest known meteor showers, the Lyrids can produce fireballs.

Moon April 7, 2023

Pink moon captured in stunning images around the world

Photographers around the world captured the pink full moon in a series of stunning images this week as it shined above cities and against natural backdrops.

SCIENCE March 23, 2023

Asteroid 2023 DZ2 to pass between Earth and moon this weekend

A massive asteroid called '2023 DZ2' will come within 100,000 miles of Earth on Saturday, March 25. NASA says this event 'only happens once per decade'.

Asteroids March 15, 2023

Newly discovered asteroid has reduced odds of striking Earth

The probability that a newly-discovered asteroid will hit Earth on Valentine's Day in 2046 has dropped. The chance the asteroid hits the planet was already unlikely.

NASA March 8, 2023

NASA says it's tracking 161-foot newly-found asteroid that has 'very small chance' of striking Earth

An asteroid with a diameter of about 161 feet has a "very small chance" of striking Earth on Feb. 14, 2046, NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office said.

Kansas February 19, 2023

Kansas night sky lit up by 'small swarm of meteors'

The National Weather Service's office in Goodland, Kansas, captured a "small swarm of meteors" that vaporized in Earth's atmosphere early Sunday morning.