Despite the array of ground and space-based telescopes and observatories utilized by NASA, ESA, and other space agencies to track and monitor asteroids, one managed to evade detection. Named Asteroid 2023 NT1, this asteroid came closest to Earth on July 13, entering within a 60,000-mile radius, which is four times closer than the Moon. Surprisingly, it was not a small rock, measuring nearly 200 feet wide, four times the size of the destructive Chelyabinsk asteroid in Russia. Eventually, it was spotted by the Asteroid Terrestrials-Impacts Last Alert System (ATLAS) observatory…

NASA successfully launched the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) on September 8, 2016. The mission aimed to study Bennu, a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) with a 1/2700 chance of colliding with Earth in the future. After a 6-year journey, the spacecraft landed on Bennu, collected samples, and recently returned them. The samples underwent a “nitrogen purge” and today, NASA will unveil the asteroid sample to the public in a live-streamed event. You can watch the event online here. In a separate development, NASA has also discovered…

NASA has established various space telescopes and ground-based observatories to explore, monitor, and analyze asteroids in space. Notable examples include the renowned Hubble Space Telescope and the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope. Additionally, spacecraft like Dawn, OSIRIS-REx, and Hayabusa2 have contributed to the examination of these ancient celestial bodies. Presently, there are 1,298,210 identified asteroids in space, and although not all pose a threat, some can be diverted from their trajectory by the gravitational pull of planets like Jupiter, potentially endangering Earth. Consequently, it is crucial to track these…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is now being utilized in the exploration and examination of asteroids, as revealed by recent news. AI has already proven its worth in numerous fields like education, healthcare, and engineering, and it may also play a crucial role in safeguarding our planet from potential asteroid threats. The University of Washington conducted a study that unveiled the effectiveness of an algorithm called HelioLinc3D in identifying a potentially hazardous asteroid. During its trial in Hawaii, the algorithm successfully detected Asteroid 2022 SF289, which measures nearly 600 feet in width.…

NASA has a range of telescopes, both in space and on the ground, that are dedicated to finding, monitoring, and researching asteroids. However, if you have an interest in astronomy, you can also contribute to NASA’s efforts. The newly launched Daily Minor Planet Project allows aspiring astronomers and skywatchers to assist in the discovery and tracking of new asteroids by analyzing data sets. To accomplish this, the project utilizes the Catalina Sky Survey, which is supported by NASA and based at the University of Arizona. This survey captures nearly 1000…

Asteroids frequently come close to Earth, presenting a potential danger due to their alarming proximity. While they may appear as mere celestial rocks, it is important to note that asteroids possess varying compositions. These space objects can be categorized into three types based on their structural makeup. The most frequently encountered asteroids are S-type, consisting of carbon-rich materials. Conversely, S-type asteroids, composed mainly of silicate minerals, are less abundant. The least common are M-type asteroids, primarily composed of metal. In a separate development, NASA has released details of an asteroid…

NASA has achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of its OSIRIS-REx mission, which saw the spacecraft return the first-ever asteroid sample to the United States on September 24. Covering an impressive distance of nearly 7 billion kilometers, the spacecraft virtually landed on the asteroid Bennu, which poses a 1 in 2700 chance of colliding with Earth between 2175 and 2195. The mission involved collecting dust and rock samples from the asteroid’s surface, which have now been brought back to Earth. Surprisingly, scientists have discovered that the spacecraft has…

Throughout the 4.5 billion-year history of Earth, numerous significant asteroid impacts have shaped the planet’s future and played a crucial role in the rise of humanity. One of the most momentous impacts occurred approximately 65 million years ago, when a colossal asteroid measuring 12 kilometers in width collided with Earth, resulting in the extinction of nearly 70 percent of species, including dinosaurs. The impact site, known as the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, still bears the remnants of this catastrophic event. These massive asteroids possess the potential to cause widespread devastation…

NASA has been diligently working on its Psyche mission for the past few years, but unfortunately, it has faced multiple delays in its launch. The highly anticipated space mission to the 16 Psyche asteroid, which is valued at more than Earth’s economy due to its abundant gold, nickel, and iron deposits, experienced its most recent setback on October 5. Originally scheduled to be launched via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of NASA’s Discovery missions, the $1.2 billion mission had to be postponed. This delay has provided NASA with…