Asteroids
Latest about Asteroids
![A spacecraft fires thrusters near an asteroid in artist's depiction](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7RH5p4BqQ9qBJA8GQFY3XB-320-80.jpg)
OSIRIS-APEX prepares for 1st close solar encounter on way to asteroid Apophis
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's revitalized OSIRIS-REx probe has begun tucking in one of its solar panels to protect itself from the sun.
![an asteroid falls to Earth above a city skyline](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hqx9buoVqe7WZ8yuGG8vL6-320-80.jpg)
'Planet killer' asteroids are hiding in the sun's glare. Can we stop them in time?
By Brandon Specktor published
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.
![an astronaut in a spacesuit walks on mars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Eq6etUvnSiF6tA3chZP6W8-320-80.jpg)
Season 4 of 'For All Mankind' debuts with alternate asteroid history
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The events of 2003 changed the direction of human space exploration — both in our timeline and that of the alternate history series "For All Mankind." The fourth season picks up in 2003.
![a pumping rig sits atop the moon, as if they were comparable in size.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nDv7ChBC4KmZ5mwHZdRHmi-320-80.jpg)
NASA’s robotic prospectors are helping scientists understand what asteroids are made of, setting the stage for miners to follow someday
By Valerie Payré published
Some companies hope to one day search for deposits that are literally out of this world — on asteroids.
![a shiny asteroid hangs in the darkness of space with a faint sun in the distance.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5izKRwUd2WzxZbMccZ9FCY-320-80.jpg)
Asteroids in the solar system could contain undiscovered, superheavy elements
By Johann Rafelski published
Scientists have predicted for a long time that elements with around 164 protons could have a relatively long half-life, or even be stable.
![three grey space rocks in the blackness of space. the largest is alone on the left; the smaller two are on the right, touching one another](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r2WR6tPid9XLWMTaJnPFB7-320-80.jpg)
Strange moon of asteroid Dinkinesh is weirder than thought after NASA probe finds 'contact binary' (photo)
By Brett Tingley published
Asteroid Dinkinesh is not only a binary, but its satellite is itself a "contact binary" consisting of two space rocks touching one another.
![Inside the metal container in the center lies a piece of asteroid Bennu. On the left is part of the orange Atlas V rocket scale model and, on the right, is part of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft scale model.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FrEUYx7qYcsK5pzqLGCzd9-320-80.jpg)
Seeing NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample up close at the Smithsonian was surreal
By Monisha Ravisetti published
The museum's curator of meteorites had been dreaming of this moment for two decades.
![a small grey rock inside a glass container](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/77KzpFfRKUa7eMwm6FfGRC-320-80.jpg)
Smithsonian debuts 1st display of asteroid Bennu sample brought back by OSIRIS-REx
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
A sizable crowd turned out to see a small rock as the Smithsonian debuted the first display of a piece of the asteroid Bennu from the sample recently brought back by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!