Asteroids
Latest about Asteroids
![Earth is in the center of this image surrounded by tons of blue dots in a relatively disk-like shape that represent satellites. Toward the right of the screen, a dot is traced with a yellow line as it just barely enters the satellite disk while flying past Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZN2MLRSc92EHh25Y2W5ebm-320-80.gif)
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.
![A blue, white and green sphere next to an irregular grey orb followed by a white plume. The background is black and dark blue](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i4FntminwHQNHHaQofGwYe-320-80.png)
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.
![a rendered image of a man standing on the rocky grey surface of an asteroid, a space probe hovers in the distance behind him against a starry sky of space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mptrASuFc8xcqKazFb3SBR-320-80.jpg)
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.
![a grainy image of the same space rocket shown from many different angles, presented in three rows of seven images, all against black space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4PGYb2GjUKJS6FXEbSHqE3-320-80.jpg)
2 asteroids just zipped by Earth, and NASA caught footage of the action
By Victoria Corless published
NASA's Goldstone Solar System Radar has collected invaluable information about two asteroids that flew very close to Earth. Don't worry, neither posed a threat.
![The Earth, moon and an asteroid's trajectories are seen in this gif.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3oorv6q4S26DQmJFKWcj7e-320-80.gif)
It's International Asteroid Day, and astronomers have much to celebrate
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
"It's a fun day."
![Two pieces of rocky material are seen with blueish areas highlighted.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gzJeoU2xQEB7VXTAevdXH8-320-80.jpg)
Phosphate in NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample suggests space rock Bennu hails from an ocean world
By Victoria Corless published
NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission brought pieces of space rock Bennu to Earth in 2023. An analysis of these samples has revealed interesting data.
![illustration of two asteroids in space, with earth in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rpp44V3YUwUc62EbEvUECL-320-80.jpg)
When a dangerous asteroid threatens Earth, humanity will have to work together, NASA says
By Mike Wall published
Earth's oft-squabbling nations will need to set aside their differences, at least for a while, when a big, dangerous asteroid puts our planet in its crosshairs.
![illustration of two asteroids in space, with earth in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rpp44V3YUwUc62EbEvUECL-320-80.jpg)
NASA discussing asteroid-threat exercise today: Watch it live
By Mike Wall published
NASA will discuss the results of a recent asteroid-threat exercise today (June 20), and you can watch it live.
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