Near-Earth objects (NEOs) as a research area encompass the observational, theoretical, and modeling studies of asteroids and comets whose orbits bring them into proximity with Earth, typically with perihelion distances less than 1.3 astronomical units. This field integrates asteroid/comet discovery surveys, orbit determination and dynamical evolution, physical and compositional characterization, impact probability assessment, and planetary defense strategies. Research includes population statistics, source regions and transport mechanisms from main-belt or trans-Neptunian reservoirs, surface and internal structure studies, non-gravitational forces such as the Yarkovsky effect, and development of mitigation techniques for potentially hazardous objects, often using ground-based telescopes, radar, and spacecraft missions.
I was preparing for my early morning class back in January 2025 when I received a notice regarding an asteroid called 2024 YR4. It said the probability it could hit Earth was unusually high.
Planetary Sciences
Jun 25, 2025
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Asteroids colliding with Earth might seem farfetched, but the planetary threat is real. Just this year news broke of an asteroid with a 1%–2% chance of a fatal collision occurring in 2032. While more recent measurements ...
Planetary Sciences
Jun 17, 2025
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The European Space Agency's (ESA) newest planetary defender has opened its "eye" to the cosmos for the first time. The Flyeye telescope's 'first light' marks the beginning of a new chapter in how we scan the skies for new ...
Planetary Sciences
Jun 5, 2025
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In the vast expanse of space, an estimated 1 million near-Earth objects (NEOs), also known as near-Earth asteroids, are constantly orbiting close to our planet. Every night, astronomers track NEOs and discover new ones, noting ...
Astrobiology
May 28, 2025
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Twenty years ago, the U.S. Congress instructed NASA to find 90% of near-Earth asteroids threatening Earth. They've made progress finding these asteroids that orbit the sun and come to within 1.3 astronomical units of Earth. ...
Planetary Sciences
May 26, 2025
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In recent years, humanity has visited several near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), including Ryugu (Hayabusa2) and Didymos (DART). However, we will need more frequent missions to start gathering more helpful information about this ...
Space Exploration
May 21, 2025
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China's Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission is set to launch this month, May 2025, en route to the asteroid Kamoʻoalewa (2016 HO3). The country could join the United States and Japan, whose space agencies have both ...
Planetary Sciences
May 13, 2025
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In December, astronomers identified that the asteroid YR4 had a small but not insignificant chance of striking Earth in 2032, a scenario that experts postulated could have more explosive potential than 500 Hiroshima nuclear ...
Planetary Sciences
May 12, 2025
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12
The asteroid 2024 YR4 made headlines in February with the news that it had a chance of hitting Earth on Dec. 22, 2032, as determined by an analysis from NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at the agency's ...
Astronomy
Apr 11, 2025
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The asteroid that once had a small chance of striking Earth and now might slam into the moon resembles a spinning hockey puck, scientists said Tuesday.
Space Exploration
Apr 9, 2025
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