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Topic: asteroid

Asteroid 2024 CA7 belongs to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids, NASA says. (Pixabay) Space 

NASA reports that a massive 350-foot asteroid will come close to Earth today – find out the distance it will pass by

Sanjay Patil,

Two asteroids came close to Earth yesterday, with one measuring nearly 120 feet wide, almost the size of an aircraft. Despite their proximity, these asteroids were not a danger to Earth and had no chance of hitting the planet. NASA explains that these close encounters occur due to the gravitational pull of large planets, which can redirect asteroids towards Earth, potentially leading to an impact. Using advanced technology, the US Space Agency has identified another asteroid that is expected to pass by Earth today, February 29. Asteroid 2024 CA7: Details…

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Asteroid 2024 CE7 belongs to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs), says NASA. (Pixabay ) Space 

NASA reports that a 120-foot asteroid will come within 5.2 million kilometers of Earth; Learn about its speed

Adriana Marais, , , ,

February, like previous months, has seen several asteroid approaches. Although there was no asteroid passing Earth yesterday, NASA has reported that two asteroids will come close to the planet today, February 28. These asteroids were monitored using advanced technology like the NEOWISE telescope, Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), Pans-STARRS1, and Catalina Sky Survey. Despite the close approach, the US Space Agency assures that the asteroid is not expected to collide with Earth’s surface. Learn more about the upcoming encounter with Asteroid 2024 CE7. Asteroid 2024 CE7: Close approach data NASA’s…

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Asteroid 2024 CE7 belongs to the Apollo group, while Asteroid 2024 CC7 belongs to the Aten group of asteroids, says NASA. (Pixabay) Space 

NASA reports that two asteroids will come close to Earth soon; Details on speed, size, and more available

Adriana Marais, , ,

NASA has detected two asteroids moving towards Earth in their orbit. The US Space Agency has classified them as Near-Earth Asteroids and warned that they will pass by the planet at close distances. This is part of a series of asteroid flybys that have been observed in recent months. Learn more about these asteroids, including their size, speed, and how close they will come to Earth. Asteroid 2024 CE7: Details NASA CNEOS has named the first asteroid to pass Earth today as Asteroid 2024 CE7. It is expected to pass…

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Asteroid 2024 CT7 belongs to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs), says NASA. (Pixabay) Space 

NASA reports that a house-sized asteroid will soon pass by Earth; Find out how close it will come

Adriana Marais, , ,

NASA has used cutting-edge technology like the NEOWISE telescope, Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), Pans-STARRS1, and Catalina Sky Survey to study an asteroid that will pass close to Earth on February 27. Although the asteroid will come near our planet, NASA has confirmed that it will not collide with the surface. Learn more about the upcoming close encounter with Asteroid 2024 CT7. Asteroid 2024 CT7: Close approach data According to data revealed by NASA’s CNEOS (Center for Near-Earth Object Studies), asteroid 2024 CT7 is expected to pass Earth at a…

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Know all about ESA’s asteroid strike preparations and role that Asteroid Apophis will play. (Pixabay) Space 

Learn how Apophis will play a significant role as ESA prepares for an asteroid impact.

Sanjay Patil

Ten years ago, the Chelyabinsk asteroid collided with the Earth in Russia’s Ural region. Exploding above the city, it caused a shockwave that affected 1500 individuals and destroyed over 7300 buildings. This event not only instilled fear but also prompted space agencies to reassess their strategies and develop contingency plans for potential future occurrences with even more severe consequences. The fear of asteroid impacts persists due to the historical extinction of dinosaurs millions of years ago. In response, the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space established two…

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The research paper by Melamed and Heinsheimer introduces a concept of material ejection to gradually alter an asteroid's trajectory unlike NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). (NASA/Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab) Space 

NASA reveals its thoughts on improving the DART mission for asteroid deflection

Adriana Marais,

Scientists have been diligently monitoring and developing strategies for decades to address the ongoing risk of asteroids colliding with Earth. One approach involves redirecting the path of these celestial bodies as they approach our planet. While the likelihood of an actual impact remains relatively low, the potential devastation necessitates ongoing vigilance and tracking efforts. One such mission is NASA’s DART mission. It was NASA’s first ever mission with the main objective of investigating and demonstrating a method to bend an asteroid by altering its motion in space through a kinetic…

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Over the past month, the Lucy Mission spacecraft team has observed that Asteroid Dinkinesh becoming brighter. (representative image) (Pixabay ) Space 

Unlock the Secrets of Space: NASA’s Lucy Mission Makes Incredible Progress!

Jim Hendler,

NASA’s Lucy mission has made significant progress in its journey towards Asteroid Dinkinesh through precise maneuvers, but it is currently experiencing a communication blackout as it moves behind the Sun. The team, led by principal investigator Hal Levison, is working diligently, with mission management handled by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and spacecraft construction undertaken by Lockheed Martin Space. Over the past month, the Lucy Mission spacecraft team has observed that asteroid Dinkinesh brightens as the spacecraft approaches, along with a consistent variation in brightness that indicates a 52.7-hour orbital…

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NASA's cutting-edge AI system, DAGGER, is set to revolutionize our preparedness for solar storms. With its rapid 30-minute warning capabilities, DAGGER provides a vital tool for safeguarding our infrastructure as we approach the 2025 solar cycle peak. (representative image) (pixabay) Space 

Uncovering the Secrets of the Cosmos: NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Reveals Earth’s Ancient Past!

Febin Mathew,

Scientists worldwide are diligently working towards the ambitious goal of unraveling the origins of life and improving our ability to predict future movements. Although this task is challenging, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft achieved a significant breakthrough in 2023 by uncovering crucial information about the fundamental components of life on Earth from the asteroid Bennu. This remarkable revelation enhances our comprehension of the processes that transformed our planet into a habitat capable of supporting life. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission uncovered evidence of the “building blocks of life on Earth” after collecting samples from…

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NASA has given a small piece of the asteroid Bennu sample to the Smithsonian museum. (AFP) Space 

Unveiling the Wonders of Space: NASA’s Bennu Sample on Display at Smithsonian Museum

Adriana Marais, ,

In September, NASA achieved a significant milestone as the OSIRIS-REx mission concluded triumphantly. The spacecraft successfully journeyed an astounding 6.2 billion kilometers to rendezvous with an asteroid called Bennu in the depths of space. It diligently gathered samples, which were subsequently transported back to Earth. These unprecedented samples hold the potential to provide insights into the origins of our planet, the existence of life, and the solar system as a whole. As a testament to this momentous achievement, a small portion of this sample has been proudly displayed at the…

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Asteroid 2023 TO15 belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. (Pixabay) Space 

NASA Alert: Asteroid 150 Feet Away – Get Ready for a Close Encounter!

Sanjay Patil, ,

Are you aware that you have the opportunity to examine the asteroid sample gathered by NASA in person? The NASA OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has recently completed a groundbreaking mission, successfully landing on an asteroid, collecting rock and dust samples, and returning them to Earth. Despite encountering difficulties when opening the sample capsule initially, NASA has now acquired the samples, with a portion of them currently on exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. Therefore, if you reside in the vicinity, do not hesitate to witness these…

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Check what NASA's Lucy mission found about asteroid Dinkinesh. (Pixabay) Space 

NASA Uncovers Surprising New Information About Asteroid Dinkinesh

Febin Mathew,

NASA has made an astonishing discovery with its Lucy mission, which aims to study Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids. During a recent encounter with Asteroid Dinkinesh, the spacecraft captured images revealing a surprising secret. Contrary to previous beliefs, Dinkinesh is not a single asteroid but rather a binary pair, orbiting around Jupiter. Find out more about this remarkable finding regarding the asteroid Dinkinesh. Asteroid Dinkinesh According to a report published by NASA, scientists previously speculated that the Dinkinesh asteroid was a binary pair, but now the images revealed by the instruments of…

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The leading theory recently has been that sulphur from the asteroid's impact blocked out the sky and plunged the world into a long, dark winter, killing all but the lucky few. (Pixabay) Space 

Study Finds Asteroid Dust Responsible for Mass Extinction of Dinosaurs

Adriana Marais,

Approximately 66 million years ago, a colossal asteroid collided with Earth, surpassing the size of Mount Everest, resulting in the extinction of 75% of all species inhabiting the planet, including the dinosaurs. This much we know. But how exactly the impact of the Chicxulub asteroid caused all of these animals to become extinct is still a matter of debate. Recently, the most common theory has been that sulfur from the asteroid impact – or soot from the wildfires it ignited – blanketed the sky and plunged the world into a…

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The asteroid is as big as the size of a building and belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. (Pixabay) Space 

NASA Reveals Details of 620-Foot Asteroid Set to Pass Close to Earth Tomorrow

Nitin Misra,

NASA regularly monitors asteroids that come close to Earth due to their potential threat. It is crucial to be prepared for any situation, even though stopping an asteroid at the last minute is impossible. However, preventive measures can be taken, which is why space agencies like NASA keep a close eye on approaching asteroids. As part of their efforts to track these celestial bodies, NASA recently accomplished the DART mission, successfully diverting an asteroid from its trajectory. Currently, NASA has identified a massive asteroid that is nearing Earth. Find more…

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Professor Michelle Thompson, of Purdue University, discusses the remarkable collection of asteroid Bennu samples, highlighting their potential to unravel the mysteries of life's beginnings on Earth. (representative image) (Pixabay) Space 

Purdue Professor Reveals Ancient Mysteries: Asteroid Bennu Specimens to Illuminate Life’s Beginnings

Nitin Misra,

Samples from the Asteroid Bennu have successfully made their way to Earth, holding the potential to unveil numerous enigmas of the Universe. Professor Michelle Thompson, from Purdue University in Indiana, has achieved an extraordinary accomplishment by spearheading a team that gathered these invaluable samples. Acting as time capsules, these samples provide valuable glimpses into the genesis of our solar system, dating back over four and a half billion years. In an interview with CBC News: The National, Professor Thompson described the surreal experience of holding pieces of the asteroid Bennu…

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NASA's Psyche asteroid probe has achieved a successful lift-off today. NASA mission has been launched on an unprecedented project to explore the enigmatic metal asteroid. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU) Space 

NASA Launches Mission to Explore Psyche Asteroid

Adriana Marais,

NASA’s Psyche Asteroid probe has embarked on an unprecedented expedition to a space rock abundant in valuable metals, marking a significant milestone. This extraordinary mission by NASA is the initial endeavor to explore a celestial body composed primarily of metals, deviating from the typical rocky or icy compositions found in asteroids. Experts anticipate that this mysterious object could provide valuable knowledge about the concealed cores of Earth and other rocky planets, suggesting it may be the remnants of a bygone planet. Amid cloudy midday skies, SpaceX catapulted a satellite into…

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Shockingly, Asteroid Bennu, whose samples reached Earth last month, has a 1/2700 chance of impacting Earth between 2175 and 2195. (NASA) Space 

NASA Uncovers Evidence of Life-Forming Molecules in Bennu Asteroid Sample

Nitin Misra, , ,

NASA has been actively monitoring and researching asteroids to gain a better understanding of their close encounters with Earth and the potential risks they pose. Utilizing advanced instruments, NASA has determined that a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) named Bennu has a 1 in 2700 chance of colliding with Earth between 2175 and 2195. To further investigate this celestial body, NASA launched the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) on September 8, 2016. The mission involved traveling to Bennu, landing on its surface, collecting samples of dust and…

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The NASA Asteroid Psyche Mission launch has been delayed and the fresh date that has been announced is October 12, 2023. (Pixabay) Space 

NASA’s Launch of Asteroid Psyche Mission Delayed in Major Setback

Jim Hendler,

The launch of the NASA Asteroid Psyche Mission, originally planned for October 5, 2023, from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida using the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, has been postponed. The delay is necessary to conduct additional inspections and verification of the spacecraft and its instruments. The mission has now been rescheduled for October 12, 2023, with a one-week delay. NASA’s Psyche Mission launch date According to a NASA report. The Falcon Heavy launch of the Psyche mission will now take place on October 12, 2023 at 10:16 a.m. EDT.…

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Asteroid Bennu can hit Earth after 159 years! (Pixabay) Space 

UCC Professor Predicts Possible Impact of 1640-Foot Asteroid on Earth – Find Out When

Sanjay Patil

Asteroids, which are large space rocks, occasionally come close to Earth, causing concern. NASA monitors these asteroids and classifies them as potentially dangerous or harmless based on their size and proximity to our planet. A recent study suggests that there is a possibility of an asteroid colliding with Earth within the next 159 years. This news is particularly alarming when considering that an asteroid was responsible for the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago. The prospect of an asteroid collision in the foreseeable future is now quite frightening. Let’s…

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Asteroid Dimorphos' mysterious behavior after NASA collision puzzles scientists. (AP) Space 

NASA Stunned by Unusual Behaviour of Asteroid Dimorphos

Sanjay Patil,

NASA successfully altered the orbit of an asteroid named Dimorphos by crashing a spacecraft into it as part of the DART mission. However, the asteroid’s behavior has become peculiar, capturing the attention of astronomers and even high school students. Surprisingly, these students made an unexpected finding while studying NASA’s DART mission in the Didymos System. It is worth noting that Dimorphos is one of two asteroids in a double asteroid system, with the larger one being called Didymos, around which Dimorphos orbits. Special orbital changes At first, after the accident,…

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Asteroid 2016 LY48 belongs to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids. (Pixabay) Space 

NASA Warns of 310-Foot Asteroid Making Close Approach to Earth

Adriana Marais, , ,

NASA has alerted the public to be cautious of Asteroid 2016 LY48, a specific space rock that is set to come closest to Earth on September 16. The asteroid is rapidly approaching our planet at an alarming velocity of 38997 kilometers per hour. It is estimated to pass by Earth at a distance of approximately 1.9 million kilometers. NASA has revealed details about the size of this asteroid through its advanced ground and space satellites and telescopes, including NEOWISE, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), Pans-STARRS1, and the Catalina Sky…

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