Asteroids - NASA / JPL

NASA Releases Radar Movie of Asteroid 2012 DA14

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:02:00 GMT

An initial sequence of radar images of asteroid 2012 DA14 was obtained on Feb. 15/16, 2013, by NASA's 230-foot (70-meter) Deep Space Network antenna at Goldstone, Calif.

NASA Experts Discuss Russia Meteor in Media Teleconference Today

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 20:02:00 GMT

NASA experts will hold a teleconference for news media at 1 p.m. PST (4 p.m. EST) today to discuss a meteor that streaked through the skies over Russia's Urals region this morning.

Russia Meteor Not Linked to Asteroid Flyby

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 20:02:00 GMT

Preliminary information indicates that a meteor in Chelyabinsk, Russia, is not related to asteroid 2012 DA14, which is flying by Earth safely today.

Near-Earth Asteroid Makes Preview Appearance

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:02:00 GMT

Asteroid 2012 DA14, set to make its closest approach to Earth on Feb. 15, is captured in early images from Australia.

NASA to Chronicle Close Earth Flyby of Asteroid

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:02:00 GMT

NASA Television will provide commentary starting at 11 a.m. PST (2 p.m. EST) on Friday, Feb. 15, during the close, but safe, flyby of a small near-Earth asteroid named 2012 DA14.

NASA to Host Feb. 7 Media Telecon on Asteroid Flyby

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:02:00 GMT

NASA will hold a media teleconference at 11 a.m. PST (2 p.m. EST), on Thursday, Feb. 7, to discuss an asteroid that will pass close, but safely, by Earth on Feb. 15.

Small Asteroid to Whiz Past Earth Safely

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:02:00 GMT

A small asteroid named 2012 DA14 will safely fly past Earth's outer ring of satellites on February 15.

NASA Rules Out Earth Impact in 2036 for Asteroid Apophis

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:01:00 GMT

NASA scientists at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory effectively have ruled out the possibility the asteroid Aphophis will impact Earth in 2036.

Herschel Spacecraft Eyes Asteroid Apophis

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:01:00 GMT

Scientists using the Herschel Space Observatory made new observations of asteroid Apophis as it approached Earth this past weekend.

NASA, ESA Telescopes Find Evidence for Asteroid Belt Around Vega

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:01:00 GMT

Astronomers have discovered what appears to be a large asteroid belt around the star Vega, the second brightest star in northern night skies.

Picture This: Vesta's Dark Materials in Dawn's View

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 20:01:00 GMT

A new study of images from NASA's Dawn mission examines remarkable, dark-as-coal material that speckles the surface of the giant asteroid Vesta.

Asteroid Toutatis Slowly Tumbles by Earth

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 20:12:00 GMT

Scientists have generated a series of radar data images of a three-mile-long (4.8-kilometer) asteroid that made its closest approach to Earth on Dec. 12, 2012.

What is Creating Gullies on Vesta?

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:12:00 GMT

Something is forming intriguing gullies on the giant asteroid Vesta. Scientists with NASA's Dawn mission are trying to figure out what could be creating these features.

Nine Radar Images of Asteroid 2007 PA8

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:11:00 GMT

Images of asteroid 2007 PA8 have been generated with data collected by NASA's Goldstone Solar System Radar.

NASA Radar Images Asteroid 2007 PA8

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:11:00 GMT

Scientists working with NASA's 230-foot-wide (70-meter) Deep Space Network antenna at Goldstone, Calif., have obtained several radar images depicting near-Earth asteroid 2007 PA8.

Scientists Monitor Comet Breakup

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:11:00 GMT

Comet 168P/Hergenrother is breaking up, right before our very eyes.

Dawn Sees 'Young' Surface on Giant Asteroid

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:10:00 GMT

Like a Hollywood starlet constantly retouching her makeup, the giant asteroid Vesta is constantly stirring its outermost layer to present a young face.

NASA's WISE Colors in Unknowns on Jupiter Asteroids

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:10:00 GMT

Observations from NASA's WISE all-sky survey reveal new clues about Jovian Trojans, mysterious asteroids that orbit in front of and behind Jupiter in its path around the sun.

How to Hunt a Space Rock

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:10:00 GMT

A team of scientists from JPL needed some space. When a large fireball turned night into day over Battle Mountain, Nev. they knew they had their chance.

Giant Asteroid's Troughs Suggest Stunted Planet

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 19:09:00 GMT

Data from NASA's Dawn spacecraft suggest troughs sculpted around Vesta's middle are likely dropped blocks of terrain bounded by faults.

Dawn: Vesta Got Special Delivery of Hydrated Minerals

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 19:09:00 GMT

Observations by NASA's Dawn mission suggest that hydrated minerals were delivered to Vesta in a radically different way than how they were deposited on the moon.

Dawn Sees Hydrated Minerals on Giant Asteroid

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:09:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has revealed that the giant asteroid Vesta has its own version of ring around the collar.

Dawn has Departed the Giant Asteroid Vesta

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:09:00 GMT

Mission controllers received confirmation today that NASA's Dawn spacecraft has escaped from the gentle gravitational grip of the giant asteroid Vesta.

NASA's Dawn Prepares for Trek Toward Dwarf Planet

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:08:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft is on track to become the first probe to orbit and study two distant destinations, to help scientists answer questions about the formation of our solar system.

NASA Releases Workshop Data and Findings on Asteroid 2011 AG5

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:06:00 GMT

Researchers anticipate that asteroid 2011 AG5, discovered in January 2011, will fly safely past and not impact Earth in 2040.

Dawn Mission Video Shows Vesta's Coat of Many Colors

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:06:00 GMT

A new video from NASA's Dawn mission reveals the dappled, variegated surface of the giant asteroid Vesta.

NASA Scientist Figures Way to Weigh Space Rock

Thu, 24 May 2012 19:05:00 GMT

A scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., has accurately determined the mass of a nearby asteroid from millions of miles away.

NASA Survey Counts Potentially Hazardous Asteroids

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:05:00 GMT

Observations from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) have led to the best assessment yet of our solar system's population of potentially hazardous asteroids.

NASA Dawn Mission Reveals Secrets of Large Asteroid

Wed, 09 May 2012 19:05:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft provides the first orbital analysis of the giant asteroid Vesta, yielding new insights into its creation with terrestrial planets and Earth's moon.

NASA to Hold News Conference on Dawn Mission Results

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:05:00 GMT

NASA will host a news conference on Thursday, May 10, at 11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. EDT) to present a new analysis of the giant asteroid Vesta using data from the agency's Dawn spacecraft.

Dawn Reveals Secrets of Giant Asteroid Vesta

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:04:00 GMT

Findings from Dawn reveal new details about the giant asteroid Vesta, including its varied surface composition, sharp temperature changes and clues to its internal structure.

Fireball Over California/Nevada: How Big Was It?

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:04:00 GMT

Scientists have a size estimate for an impressive fireball that was witnessed over California's Central Valley Sunday (4/22).

Dawn Gets Extra Time to Explore Vesta

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:04:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn mission has received official confirmation that 40 extra days have been added to its exploration of the giant asteroid Vesta.

Dawn Sees New Surface Features on Giant Asteroid

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:03:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has revealed unexpected details on the surface of the giant asteroid Vesta.

Asteroid 2011 AG5 - A Reality Check

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:02:00 GMT

Asteroid 2011 AG5 has been receiving a lot of attention lately because of a very unlikely scenario which would place it on an Earth-interception course 28 years from now.

Vesta Likely Cold and Dark Enough for Ice

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:01:00 GMT

Roughly half of the giant asteroid Vesta is expected to be so cold, with so little sunlight, that water ice could have survived there for billions of years.

Dawn Obtains First Low Altitude Images of Vesta

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:12:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has sent back the first images of the giant asteroid Vesta from its low-altitude mapping orbit.

New NASA Dawn Visuals Show Vesta's 'Color Palette'

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:12:00 GMT

New color data from NASA's Dawn mission give scientists an inside look at the chemical composition of giant asteroid Vesta.

NASA's Deep Impact Spacecraft Eyes the Future

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:12:00 GMT

NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft completed a 140-second firing of its onboard rocket motors on Thursday, Nov. 24.

Dawn Soars Over Asteroid Vesta in 3-D

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:11:00 GMT

Glide over the giant asteroid Vesta with NASA's Dawn spacecraft in a new 3-D video.

NASA Releases Updated Radar Movie of Asteroid 2005 YU55

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:11:00 GMT

NASA Scientists working with the Deep Space Network antenna at Goldstone, Calif., have released a second, longer, more refined movie clip of asteroid 2005 YU55.

NASA Releases Radar Movie of Asteroid 2005 YU55

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:11:00 GMT

Scientists working with the 230-foot-wide (70-meter) Deep Space Network antenna at Goldstone, Calif., have generated a short movie clip of asteroid 2005 YU55.

NASA Captures New Images of Large Asteroid Passing Earth

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:11:00 GMT

NASA's Deep Space Network antenna in Goldstone, Calif. has captured new radar images of Asteroid 2005 YU55 passing close to Earth.

NASA in Final Preparations for Nov. 8 Asteroid Flyby

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:10:00 GMT

NASA scientists will be tracking asteroid 2005 YU55 with antennas of the agency's Deep Space Network at Goldstone, Calif., as the space rock safely flies past Earth slightly closer than the moon's orbit on Nov. 8.

NASA Says Comet Elenin Gone and Should Be Forgotten

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:10:00 GMT

Latest indications are this relatively small comet has broken into even smaller, even less significant, chunks of dust and ice.

NASA Telescopes Help Solve Ancient Supernova Mystery

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:10:00 GMT

A mystery that began nearly 2,000 years ago, when Chinese astronomers witnessed what would turn out to be an exploding star in the sky, has been solved.

NASA's Dawn Science Team Presents Early Science Results

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:10:00 GMT

Scientists with NASA's Dawn mission have provided details about the southern hemisphere of Vesta, which boasts one of the largest mountains in the solar system.

New View of Vesta Mountain From NASA's Dawn Mission

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:10:00 GMT

A new image from NASA's Dawn spacecraft shows a mountain three times as high as Mt. Everest, amidst the topography in the south polar region of the giant asteroid Vesta.

NASA's Dawn Spacecraft Begins New Vesta Mapping Orbit

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:09:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has completed a gentle spiral into its new science orbit for an even closer view of the giant asteroid Vesta.

NASA Space Telescope Finds Fewer Asteroids Near Earth

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:09:00 GMT

New observations by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, show there are significantly fewer near-Earth asteroids in the mid-size range than previously thought.

NASA to Host News Conference on Asteroid Search Findings

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:09:00 GMT

NASA will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. EDT (10 a.m. PDT) on Thurs., Sept. 29, to reveal near-Earth asteroid findings and implications for future research.

Origin of Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Remains a Mystery

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 19:09:00 GMT

The family of asteroids some believed was responsible for the demise of the dinosaurs is not likely the culprit according to new observations.

NASA's Dawn Collects a Bounty of Beauty from Vesta

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:09:00 GMT

A new video from NASA's Dawn spacecraft takes us on a flyover journey above the surface of the giant asteroid Vesta.

Meteor Likely Cause of Southwest U.S. Light Show

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:09:00 GMT

A meteor is the most probable cause of a bright, colorful fireball witnessed by people in a wide swath of the southwestern United States.

Comet Elenin Poses No Threat to Earth

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:08:00 GMT

Comet Elenin, like most comets, is harmless. NASA scientists share the facts about Elenin, which will pass at a safe 22 million miles from Earth in October.

NASA's Asteroid Photographer Beams Back Science Data

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:08:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft is now in its first science-collecting orbit at Vesta.

NASA's Dawn Spacecraft Begins Science Orbits of Vesta

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:08:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft, the first ever to orbit an object in the main asteroid belt, is spiraling towards its first of four intensive science orbits.

NASA's Dawn's Spacecraft Views Dark Side of Vesta

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:07:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn mission, in orbit around Vesta, captures a new image from a distance of 3,200 miles (5,200) kilometers from the giant asteroid.

NASA's WISE Finds Earth's First Trojan Asteroid

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:07:00 GMT

Astronomers studying observations taken by NASA's WISE mission have discovered the first known "Trojan" asteroid orbiting the sun along with Earth.

NASA's Dawn Spacecraft Beams Back New Photo

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:07:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn mission, in orbit around Vesta, captured the latest image from a distance of about 6,500 miles (10,500 kilometers) kilometers from the giant asteroid.

NASA Dawn Spacecraft Returns Close-Up Image of Vesta

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:07:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has returned the first close-up image after beginning its orbit around the giant asteroid Vesta.

NASA's Dawn Spacecraft Enters Orbit Around Asteroid Vesta

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 19:07:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft on Saturday became the first probe ever to enter orbit around an object in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Comet Hartley 2 Leaves a Bumpy Trail

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:07:00 GMT

Comet Hartley 2 is a little bit like Hansel and Gretel, leaving behind a trail of ice crumbs as it circles the sun.

NASA Spacecraft to Enter Asteroid's Orbit on July 15

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:07:00 GMT

On July 15, NASA's Dawn spacecraft will begin a prolonged encounter with the asteroid Vesta, making the mission the first to enter orbit around a main-belt asteroid.

Dawn Team Members Check out Spacecraft

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:07:00 GMT

Mission managers for NASA's Dawn spacecraft are studying the spacecraft's ion propulsion system after Dawn experienced a loss of thrust on June 27.

Small Asteroid to Whip Past Earth on June 27, 2011

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:06:00 GMT

An asteroid designated 2011 MD will safely pass Earth in the early morning hours.

Dawn Nears Start of Year-Long Stay at Giant Asteroid

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:06:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft is on track to begin the first extended visit to a large asteroid.

NASA Hosts Preview of Visit to Large Asteroid

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:06:00 GMT

NASA will host a news briefing at 11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. EDT) on Thursday, June 23, to discuss the Dawn spacecraft's year-long visit to the large asteroid Vesta.

Science Paper Details NASA Epoxi Flyby of Hyper Comet

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:00:00 GMT

NASA's EPOXI mission found that Comet Hartley 2 is a hyperactive little comet, spewing out more water than most other comets its size.

Dawn Captures Video on Approach to Asteroid Vesta

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:06:00 GMT

Scientists working with NASA's Dawn spacecraft have created a new video showing the giant asteroid Vesta as the spacecraft approaches this unexplored world in the main asteroid belt.

NASA's Dawn Captures First Image of Nearing Asteroid

Wed, 11 May 2011 19:05:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has obtained its first image of the giant asteroid Vesta, which will help fine-tune navigation during its approach.

Comet Elenin: Preview of a Coming Attraction

Wed, 04 May 2011 19:05:00 GMT

A visitor from the outer reaches of our solar system might sound ominous. But comets do this all the time.

Dawn Reaches Milestone Approaching Asteroid Vesta

Tue, 03 May 2011 07:00:00 GMT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has reached its official approach phase to the asteroid Vesta and will begin using cameras for the first time to aid navigation.

Spacecraft Earth to Perform Asteroid 'Flyby' This Fall

Mon, 02 May 2011 19:05:00 GMT

NASA spacecraft have already flown past comets and asteroids, and now Earth itself will "fly by" an object that will provide NASA scientists a unique observing opportunity.

Fast-Rotating Asteroid Winks For Astronomer's Camera

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:04:00 GMT

An amateur astronomer's video of a newly discovered near-Earth object shows the space rock to be tumbling at a fast rate.

When is an Asteroid Not an Asteroid?

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:03:00 GMT

When it's Vesta! On the anniversary of Vesta's discovery day, NASA's Dawn mission celebrates this extraordinary hunk of rock.

NASA's Stardust: Good to the Last Drop

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:03:00 GMT

NASA's most traveled comet hunter goes out in style with one final burn of its rocket motors.

NASA Releases Images of Man-Made Crater on Comet

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:02:00 GMT

NASA's Stardust spacecraft returned new images of a comet showing a scar resulting from the 2005 Deep Impact mission.

Comet Hunter's First Images on the Ground

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:02:00 GMT

JPL Mission controllers have begun receiving the first of 72 anticipated images of comet Tempel 1 taken by NASA's Stardust spacecraft.

NASA's Stardust Spacecraft Completes Comet Flyby

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:02:00 GMT

Mission controllers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., watched as data downlinked from the Stardust spacecraft indicated it completed its closest approach with comet Tempel 1.

The Two Faces of Tempel 1

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:02:00 GMT

Whichever part of comet Tempel 1 is facing toward Stardust when the spacecraft zips by the comet tonight should provide some great new science.

Five Things About NASA's Valentine's Day Comet

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 20:02:00 GMT

Here are five facts about NASA's Stardust-NExT spacecraft as it prepares for a Valentine's "date" with comet Tempel 1. Feel free to sing along!

NASA's Stardust-NExT: Valentine's Night Comet Flyby

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:02:00 GMT

As of about 10 p.m. PST (1 a.m. EST on Feb. 15), NASA's Stardust spacecraft has turned to point its high-gain antenna at Earth and started downlinking data through that antenna.

Heading Into the Bonus Round -- in Space

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:02:00 GMT

Stardust-NExT, history's most traveled comet hunter, has a rich legacy of space firsts.

NASA Hosting Events for Valentine's Night Comet Encounter

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:02:00 GMT

NASA will host several live activities for the Stardust-NExT mission's close encounter with comet Tempel 1.

Stardust Celebrates Twelve Years With Rocket Burn

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:02:00 GMT

NASA's Stardust-NExT mission team on Earth marked the spacecraft's 12th anniversary in space with a flight path correction maneuver.

NASA Stardust Adjusts Flight Path for Comet Meetup

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:02:00 GMT

NASA's Stardust spacecraft has executed a rocket burn to refine its flight path toward a Valentine's Day comet encounter.

NASA's NEOWISE Completes Scan for Asteroids and Comets

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:02:00 GMT

NASA's NEOWISE mission has completed its survey of small bodies, asteroids and comets, in our solar system.

NASA Comet Hunter Spots Its Valentine

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:01:00 GMT

NASA's Stardust spacecraft is closing in on a Valentine's Day date with comet Tempel 1.

NASA Spacecraft Prepares for Valentine's Day Comet Rendezvous

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:01:00 GMT

NASA's Stardust-NExT spacecraft is nearing a celestial date with comet Tempel 1 at approximately 8:37 p.m. PST (11:37 p.m. EST), on Feb. 14.

NASA Radar Reveals Features on Asteroid

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:01:00 GMT

This 36-frame video, from NASA's Goldstone Solar System Radar, depicts the rotation of asteroid JL33 - an irregular, elongated object roughly 1.8 kilometers (1.1) miles wide.

NASA Spacecraft Burns for Another Comet Flyby

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:11:00 GMT

NASA's Stardust spacecraft fired its rockets to adjust its flight path today, Nov. 22, to set itself up for a flyby of comet Tempel 1 next February.

NASA Spacecraft Sees Cosmic Snow Storm During Comet Encounter

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:11:00 GMT

The EPOXI mission's recent encounter with comet Hartley 2 provided the first images clear enough for scientists to link jets of dust and gas with specific surface features.

How to See the Best Meteor Showers of the Year: Tools, Tips and 'Save the Dates'

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:11:00 GMT

There are several major meteor showers to enjoy every year at various times, with some more active than others.

Flight of the Comet

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:11:00 GMT

This video clip was compiled from images taken by NASA's EPOXI mission spacecraft during its flyby of comet Hartley 2 on Nov. 4.

NASA EPOXI Flyby Reveals New Insights Into Comet Features

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:11:00 GMT

Scientists say initial images from today's flyby of comet Hartley 2 provide new information about the comet's volume and material spewing from its surface.

NASA Mission Successfully Flies by Comet Hartley 2

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:11:00 GMT

NASA's EPOXI mission successfully flew by comet Hartley 2 at about 7 a.m. PDT (10 a.m. EDT) today, and the spacecraft has begun returning images. Hartley 2 is the fifth comet nucleus visited by a spacecraft.

Epoxi Flyby of Comet Hartley 2 Underway

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:11:00 GMT

Mission controllers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., have relayed final instructions to their comet-bound spacecraft today, Nov. 3.

The Man Behind Comet Hartley 2

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:11:00 GMT

Malcolm Hartley has seen a whole lot of the universe over the last 40 years, but he'd never had a close-up view of a comet named after him.

NASA Spacecraft on Final Approach Toward Comet

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:11:00 GMT

NASA's EPOXI mission spacecraft steadily approaches its target, comet Hartley 2, as it completes its final flight-path adjustment.