asteroid
Latest about asteroid
![About 4.5 billion years ago, a Mars-size body slammed into the young Earth, which likely created the moon.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CDPx92vfHMVxpjwmwL7jHV-320-80.jpeg)
What was Earth's biggest explosion?
By Michael Dhar published
The biggest blasts come from above, while volcanic eruptions and human-caused detonations have also unleashed incredible levels of energy.
![An artist's impression of a near-Earth asteroid.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaNog7E2PwANAXxyUtDTac-320-80.jpg)
A monstrously large, 'potentially hazardous' asteroid will zip through Earth's orbit on Halloween
By Ben Turner published
The asteroid's upper size estimate is just short of the world's tallest building.
![An illustration of the trajectory of potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroid 3200 Phaethon as it passed by Earth in 2017. New research suggests the asteroid's spin is accelerating.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wEFkJg6QqLuuShpecKQZHf-320-80.jpg)
Bizarre near-Earth asteroid is spinning faster every year — and scientists aren’t sure why
By Harry Baker published
Astronomers have discovered that a potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroid, 3200 Phaethon, has an unusual accelerating spin that could eventually change its trajectory through the solar system.
![an asteroid slams into Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V5JzT3FCbpwGTaNDq3w3o3-320-80.jpg)
Dino-killing asteroid triggered 'mega-earthquake' that rocked the planet for months
By Stephanie Pappas published
The dinosaur-killing Chicxulub impact triggered a months-long mega-earthquake that left its mark in the rock.
![The Vredefort crater was birthed 2 million years ago when the largest asteroid ever to hit Earth impacted the planet. A new study suggests the gargantuan space rock was even bigger than previously predicted.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/axA5rkKwd438kHLzbq6gmd-320-80.jpg)
Largest asteroid ever to hit Earth was twice as big as the rock that killed off the dinosaurs
By Harry Baker published
New research suggests that the asteroid responsible for forming Earth's largest impact crater was even bigger than researchers had previously estimated.
![An illustration of an asteroid streaking toward Earth. The asteroid that hit Earth about 66 million years ago triggered a tsunami with mile-high waves.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aWhRa8jDVCDWoUHvbadYEk-320-80.jpg)
Tsunami from dinosaur-killing asteroid had mile-high waves and reached halfway across the world
By Laura Geggel published
The dinosaur-killing asteroid triggered mile-high monster waves and waters that reached the world over.
![An artist's rendering of a large asteroid smashing into the Earth, raining fire and debris everywhere.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QuK3KTftnGWsCgGDk4pYu4-320-80.jpg)
Could an asteroid destroy Earth?
By Brandon Specktor published
When large asteroids hit the Earth, they trigger mass extinctions and climate chaos. But could an asteroid destroy the planet entirely?
![DART's final moments before it crashed into Dimorphos's surface.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fwwqF7ZgERFwo6p8ZisLK8-320-80.gif)
Watch NASA's DART spacecraft hit 'bullseye' by smashing into an asteroid
By Ben Turner published
This is the first ever test of the Earth's planetary defence system
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