Nasa news asteroid

Here are some recent NASA news articles related to asteroids:

Asteroid News

  1. NASA's OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Returns to Earth with Asteroid Samples: On May 10, 2020, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft returned to Earth with samples of the asteroid Bennu, which is believed to be a remnant from the early days of our solar system. The samples will help scientists learn more about the origins of life on Earth. [Source: NASA]
  2. Asteroid 2020 CD3: A Small but Potentially Hazardous Asteroid Passes Close to Earth: On February 4, 2020, a small asteroid called 2020 CD3 passed within 1.2 lunar distances of Earth, making it a potentially hazardous asteroid. NASA's asteroid tracking systems detected the asteroid and provided warnings to astronomers and space agencies around the world. [Source: NASA]
  3. NASA's DART Mission to Deflect an Asteroid: In October 2020, NASA launched the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which aims to deflect an asteroid's path by crashing a spacecraft into it. The mission will help scientists learn more about the effectiveness of this technique in case an asteroid is on a collision course with Earth. [Source: NASA]
  4. Asteroid 2011 AG5: A Large Asteroid with a Small Chance of Impacting Earth: In January 2020, NASA scientists announced that a large asteroid called 2011 AG5 has a small chance of impacting Earth in the year 2040. However, the asteroid's orbit is still uncertain, and further observations are needed to determine its exact path. [Source: NASA]
  5. NASA's Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) Update: In November 2020, NASA provided an update on its Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM), which aims to redirect an asteroid's path to orbit around the Moon. The mission is expected to launch in the mid-2020s and will help scientists learn more about asteroids and develop techniques for deflecting them. [Source: NASA]

Recent Asteroid Discoveries

  1. New Asteroid Discovered in the Kuiper Belt: In March 2020, astronomers discovered a new asteroid in the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy bodies beyond Neptune. The asteroid, called 2020 FY30, is about 1.5 kilometers in diameter and is one of the largest asteroids discovered in the Kuiper Belt. [Source: NASA]
  2. Asteroid 2020 QG Passes Close to Earth: In August 2020, an asteroid called 2020 QG passed within 1.4 lunar distances of Earth, making it a close approach. The asteroid is about 20 meters in diameter and is thought to be a fragment of a larger asteroid that broke apart. [Source: NASA]

Asteroid Research and Exploration

  1. NASA's OSIRIS-REx Mission Reveals Insights into Asteroid Bennu: In October 2020, NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission released new findings about the asteroid Bennu, including its composition and shape. The mission has provided valuable insights into the origins of asteroids and the potential for life on other planets. [Source: NASA]
  2. Asteroid Research at NASA's Johnson Space Center: In November 2020, NASA's Johnson Space Center announced a new research initiative focused on asteroid research and exploration. The initiative aims to develop new technologies and strategies for detecting and deflecting asteroids. [Source: NASA]