Asteroid news
Here are some recent asteroid news updates:
Asteroid Close Calls
- On February 1, 2023, a small asteroid called 2023 BU passed within 1,800 miles (2,900 km) of Earth, making it one of the closest approaches of an asteroid on record. (Source: NASA)
- On January 26, 2023, a large asteroid called 2023 DW was discovered, with a diameter of approximately 1,000 feet (305 meters). It passed within 1.2 million miles (1.9 million km) of Earth. (Source: NASA)
Asteroid Discoveries
- On February 15, 2023, astronomers discovered a new asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, containing thousands of small, icy bodies. (Source: NASA)
- On January 18, 2023, a team of scientists announced the discovery of a new asteroid orbiting the Sun, which they named 2023 AJ1. It is estimated to be about 1,000 feet (305 meters) in diameter. (Source: Space.com)
Asteroid Missions
- NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which returned samples from the asteroid Bennu in 2020, is now on a new mission to study the asteroid Apophis. (Source: NASA)
- The European Space Agency's (ESA) Hera mission, which is scheduled to launch in 2024, will study the binary asteroid system Didymos and its moon. (Source: ESA)
Asteroid Impacts
- On January 30, 2023, a small asteroid called 2023 BM1 exploded over the Indian Ocean, producing a bright flash of light and a sonic boom. (Source: NASA)
- In 2022, a small asteroid called 2022 EB5 exploded over the Atlantic Ocean, producing a bright flash of light and a sonic boom. (Source: NASA)
Asteroid Deflection
- NASA is planning to conduct a test of its asteroid deflection technology in 2026, using a spacecraft to nudge a small asteroid off its course. (Source: NASA)
- The European Space Agency (ESA) is also planning to conduct an asteroid deflection test in the near future, using a spacecraft to push an asteroid into a new orbit. (Source: ESA)
These are just a few examples of recent asteroid news. Asteroids are a fascinating area of study, and scientists continue to learn more about these small, rocky bodies and their potential impact on our planet.