Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the sun, and although the vast majority of asteroids are harmless, there are often close shaves with our planet. Live Science is here to put asteroid threats into perspective and answer all of your asteroid-related questions, from whether an asteroid could destroy Earth to why asteroids and comets are such weird shapes.
Whether it’s the fastest-orbiting asteroid in our solar system, a 600-foot asteroid detected near Earth or NASA proving humanity can deflect killer asteroids with rockets, our expert writers and editors are on point to separate the potentially hazardous from the mostly harmless. So, for everything you need to know about the sizeable stones that share our solar system check out the latest asteroid news, features and articles.
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Latest about Asteroids
Astronomers spot potential 'interstellar visitor' shooting through the solar system toward Earth
A newly discovered object, dubbed A11pl3Z, appears to be moving too fast and straight to have originated in the solar system. If confirmed, it will be the third interstellar visitor ever spotted.
'City killer' asteroid 2024 YR4 could shower Earth with 'bullet-like' meteors if it hits the moon in 2032
There is currently a 4.3% chance that the giant space rock 2024 YR4 will hit the moon in seven years. If this does happen, debris from the nuclear bomb-like impact could trigger a "spectacular" meteor shower that will endanger Earth-orbiting satellites.
James Webb telescope ups the odds that 'city-killer' asteroid 2024 YR4 will hit the moon in 2032
The James Webb Space Telescope has taken another look at the potential "city-killer" asteroid 2024 YR4 and found its chances of hitting the moon in December 2032 have increased to 4.3%.
An 'invisible threat': Swarm of hidden 'city killer' asteroids around Venus could one day collide with Earth, simulations show
A new study suggests that unidentified "co-orbital asteroids" around Venus may have the capacity to impact our planet in the future, with potentially devastating consequences. However, there is no immediate threat.
NASA's Lucy spacecraft snaps first close-ups of weird peanut-shaped asteroid
NASA has released the Lucy spacecraft's first close-up images of asteroid Donaldjohanson, revealing a peanut-shaped rock that could shed light on how planets formed in our solar system.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 surprises scientists with 'unusual' shape and could slaphsot the moon
The once-dubbed "city-killer" asteroid 2024 YR4 has surprised scientists with its 'unusual' shape as it rapidly rotates through space on a trajectory that could see it hit the moon.
James Webb telescope takes emergency look at 'city-killer' asteroid 2024 YR4 ahead of close encounter in 2032
The James Webb Space Telescope has taken its first look at the near-Earth asteroid 2024 YR4 before a perilous close approach in 2032. The telescope confirmed Earth is safe, but there is a 3.8% chance that our moon may be in trouble.
'Potentially hazardous' pyramid-size asteroid will make its closest flyby of Earth for more than 100 years this Wednesday
The hefty space rock 2014 TN17 is large enough to wipe out a city, but it will pose no risk to our planet when it sails by this Wednesday (March 26). Researchers will monitor it carefully during its close approach.
