Planetary protection

A small asteroid almost hit Earth over Antarctica, as it passed within the altitude range of the International Space Station. Illustration: depositphotos.com

So close! A small asteroid passed 428 km above Antarctica

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A space rock 1–3 meters in diameter passed at an altitude similar to the ISS orbit; it was discovered hours after the pass, and observations from the Las Cumbres Observatory allowed for a precise trajectory determination
These images, showing the material ejected from around the near-Earth asteroid that was struck, were taken during the approach (with Didymus at top left) and the receding (with Didymus at top right) of the LICIACube satellite, which flew over the area a few minutes after the impact and recorded its aftermath. The ejection field consists of an asymmetrical cone of dust containing streams and filaments, as well as more than 100 meter-sized rocks ejected in various directions. Credit: NASA's DART team and LICIACube

NASA's DART mission deflected an asteroid – but released a swarm of space rocks

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Astronomers at the University of Maryland have discovered that an unexpected burst of rock fragments released during the DART mission carried with it three times more momentum than the spacecraft itself – a discovery that provides important new insights
The European Space Agency's (ESA) planned NEOMIR space telescope will scan for asteroids approaching Earth while they are hidden by the glare of the sun. In doing so, it will fill a significant blind spot in modern asteroid warning systems. Credit: ESA / Pierre Caril

An asteroid tens of meters in diameter may hit the moon in 2032

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This is the same asteroid that was suspected of potentially hitting Earth, but updated observations rule out the risk of hitting Earth, but leave the possibility of hitting the Moon. ESA presents: Innovative telescope that will detect threats even from the problematic direction
In the Bolides. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Supersonic booms in the sky: How scientists are using bolides to improve planetary defense

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Researchers show that bolides – meteoroids that explode in the atmosphere – create sound waves that can be analyzed for warning purposes about space debris and other astronomical threats
This artist's impression shows NEO Surveyor in deep space. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

NEO Surveyor Mission: NASA's Pioneering Planetary Defense Effort

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The main asteroid belt. Image: NASA

The James Webb Space Telescope reveals the smallest asteroids yet found in the main asteroid belt

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A group of 138 new asteroids, ranging in size from a bus to a stadium, has been discovered in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter by observations of the Webb Space Telescope
The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft will perform an acceleration maneuver near Mars and also explore it. Figure: European Space Agency.

The engines of the spacecraft Hera were ignited on its journey towards the asteroid Didymus

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Hera - the European Space Agency's asteroid exploration mission will once again reach the asteroid it visited and which was diverted by the DART spacecraft
This image taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope shows Comet Anka moving through its debris orbit. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Minnesota

What is the level of risk from the "doomsday" asteroid swarm?

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A new study shows that the Taurid swarm contains fewer large asteroids than predicted, so the risk level from it is lower.
An asteroid hits the Earth. Illustration: depositphotos.com

NASA faces a (theoretical) 72% chance of an asteroid impact

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NASA's biennial exercises simulate an asteroid impact to prepare international response strategies. These scenarios use real data to test emergency preparedness and explore diversion techniques like the DART mission
The 360-meter-diameter asteroid Apophis will come very close to Earth on April 13, 2029. Credit: Jonathan Mennell / via Eyes on the Solar System, NASA/JPL

Approaching an asteroid: Exploring Apophis using advanced minisatellites

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German researchers and the German Space Agency will try three strategies for the study of the asteroid that will approach in 2029 to a distance of 31 thousand km from the Earth
Asteroid 2008 OS7's last approach to Earth on the day before Asteroid 2008 OS7 passes near Earth on February 2, 2024. This series of images was taken by the powerful 230-foot (70-meter) Goldstone Solar System Radar antenna near Barstow, California Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Unexpected discoveries: NASA planetary radar images reveal asteroid as it approaches Earth

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During asteroid 2008 OS7's final approach to Earth on February 2, 2024, the agency's Deep Space Radar collected the first detailed images of the stadium-sized asteroid
Hera scans the DART impact crater. Figure: ESA

Europa will protect the Earth from asteroids

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Schematic illustration of the DART mission showing the lunar impact of the asteroid (65803) Didymus. Observations after the collision from optical telescopes on Earth and a planetary radar will measure the change in the Moon's orbit around the main body. Figure: NASA

NASA will launch the DART spacecraft that will reach a double asteroid and try to divert its moon from its orbit

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