Asteroid news, features and articles
Latest about Asteroids
'Potentially hazardous' 600-foot asteroid detected near Earth after a year of hiding in plain sight
By Brandon Specktor published
A skyscraper-size asteroid was revealed in year-old telescope data thanks to a new algorithm that could rock the way near-Earth objects are discovered.
How long can an asteroid 'survive'?
By Joanna Thompson published
Asteroids are left over from the early solar system. Here's how they get destroyed.
'Swarm of boulders' in space shows the gory aftermath of NASA's asteroid-smashing DART mission
By Ben Turner published
The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) has left a vast field of rubble strewn around asteroid Dimorphos, Hubble images show.
A skyscraper-size asteroid flew closer to Earth than the moon — and scientists didn't notice until 2 days later
By Brandon Specktor published
A stealthy asteroid the size of a 20-story building hid in the sun's glare before zooming uncomfortably close to Earth on July 13. Scientists didn't notice until July 15.
How to watch a 'potentially hazardous' asteroid the size of Earth's tallest building zoom past the planet Sunday
By Brandon Specktor published
A large, skyscraper-size asteroid will pass close to Earth Sunday night (June 11), missing our planet by a few million miles.
The Tunguska event was the biggest asteroid impact in recorded history. How did it vanish without a trace?
By Hannah Osborne published
During the Tunguska event, over 8 million trees covering an area of 830 square miles were flattened when an asteroid entered Earth's atmosphere.
'Planet killer' asteroids pose no threat to Earth for at least 1,000 years — but smaller rocks could still be a problem
By Stephanie Pappas published
The risk of a kilometer-scale asteroid hitting Earth in the next millennium is really low. Phew.
James Webb telescope spots ancient water frozen in a near-Earth comet — and scientists want to collect it
By Joanna Thompson published
A new analysis of a comet in the asteroid belt reveals frozen water from the early solar system, hinting at the origins of water on Earth.
Rock that crashed through New Jersey home may be 4.6 billion-year-old chunk of Halley's Comet
By Stephanie Pappas last updated
An apparent meteorite crashed into a bedroom in Hopewell Township, New Jersey, on Monday (May 8). A scientific analysis confirmed its extraterrestrial origin.
How to watch the Eta Aquarid meteor shower — a burst of 'shooting stars' left by Halley's Comet — peak this weekend
By Jamie Carter published
An outburst of 'shooting stars' from Halley's Comet could result in a dazzling Eta Aquarid meteor shower on May 5 and 6 — if the full moon doesn't get in the way.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.