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<p>Scientists have found that an asteroid&nbsp;which crashed into the Earth’s atmosphere earlier this year was spinning at the highest rate ever known, which was one spin every 2.6 seconds.</p>

<p>The asteroid, known as 2024 BX1, is probably not more than one&nbsp;metre wide and entered the atmosphere of Earth on January 21 and fell into pieces over Berlin, Germany. However, some pieces survived the fireball and&nbsp;were later recovered.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>First asteroid to have been spotted before entering Earth's atmosphere&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>It was a rare case where the scientists were able to track the fall of the asteroid and spot the celestial rock before it entered the atmosphere of the Earth. In this case, it&nbsp;was seen&nbsp;just three hours ahead of the asteroid's entry.</p>

<p>The images of the asteroid were taken by Maxime Devogele and his colleagues at the European Space Agency’s Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre in&nbsp;Italy&nbsp;before&nbsp;impact.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hazardous-asteroid-apophis-to-make-close-flyby-of-earth-in-five-years-how-are-scientists-prepping-for-it-715484">"Hazardous asteroid" Apophis to make close flyby of Earth in five years; How are scientists prepping for it?</a></p>

<p>The asteroid, which was moving at some 50,000 kilometres per hour, had an elongated shape&nbsp;which&nbsp;meant changes in its brightness due to rotation.</p>

<p>Such changes in brightness corresponded with the rotation time of 2.588 seconds, which was roughly 30,000 rotations per day. “It’s the fastest [spin] we’ve ever observed,” Devogele said.</p>

<p>The asteroids are known to spin due to various reasons, such&nbsp;as collisions they may have faced earlier in&nbsp;their&nbsp;life. The space rocks&nbsp;in&nbsp;general&nbsp;are&nbsp;bigger&nbsp;than a kilometre and cannot rotate more than once every 2.2 hours because they will break apart.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However,&nbsp;smaller&nbsp;asteroids&nbsp;like&nbsp;2024 BX1&nbsp;can&nbsp;withstand much faster spins since they are more compact. “They have internal strength, so&nbsp;they can rotate faster,” Devogele said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas | The impact of NASA asteroid deflection</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-impact-of-nasa-asteroid-deflection-707437/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Observing the spin of objects is&nbsp;more useful&nbsp;for planetary defence&nbsp;which&nbsp;helps scientists understand how&nbsp;strong&nbsp;a small asteroid is and how it is likely to survive its passage through the atmosphere of the Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“If it’s hard, it will react differently than if it’s a piece of snow that has no internal strength,” says Devogele.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Scientists have found that an asteroid which crashed into the Earth’s atmosphere earlier this year was spinning at the highest rate ever known, which was one spin every 2.

Scientists have found that an asteroid which crashed into the Earth’s atmosphere earlier this year was spinning at the highest rate ever known, which was one spin every 2.6 seconds. The asteroid, known as 2024 BX1, is probably not more than one metre wide and entered the atmosphere of Earth on January 21 and fell into pieces over Berlin, Germany. However, some pieces survived the fireball and were later recovered. First asteroid to have been spotted before entering Earth's atmosphere It was a rare case where the scientists were able to track the fall of the asteroid and spot the celestial rock before it entered the atmosphere of the Earth. In this case, it was seen just three hours ahead of the asteroid's entry. The images of the asteroid were taken by Maxime Devogele and his colleagues at the European Space Agency’s Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre in Italy before impact. Also Read: "Hazardous asteroid" Apophis to make close flyby of Earth in five years; How are scientists prepping for it? The asteroid, which was moving at some 50,000 kilometres per hour, had an elongated shape which meant changes in its brightness due to rotation. Such changes in brightness corresponded with the rotation time of 2.588 seconds, which was roughly 30,000 rotations per day. “It’s the fastest [spin] we’ve ever observed,” Devogele said. The asteroids are known to spin due to various reasons, such as collisions they may have faced earlier in their life. The space rocks in general are bigger than a kilometre and cannot rotate more than once every 2.2 hours because they will break apart. However, smaller asteroids like 2024 BX1 can withstand much faster spins since they are more compact. “They have internal strength, so they can rotate faster,” Devogele said. Watch: Gravitas | The impact of NASA asteroid deflection Observing the spin of objects is more useful for planetary defence which helps scientists understand how strong a small asteroid is and how it is likely to survive its passage through the atmosphere of the Earth. “If it’s hard, it will react differently than if it’s a piece of snow that has no internal strength,” says Devogele. (With inputs from agencies)

Fastest-spinning asteroid recently hit Earth’s atmosphere and crashed in Berlin

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<p>A team of astronomers, who have been trying to track the origin of the near-Earth asteroid Kamo'oalewa, are now proposing a theory which hints that it was most likely part of the Moon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The mysterious space rock was first discovered in 2016 and was between 130 and 328 feet in diameter.</p>

<p>A research team, headed by Tsinghua University astronomer Yifei Jiao, has hinted that the rock had broken from a geological feature of the Moon known as the Giordano Bruno crater. The crater was named after a 16th-century Italian cosmological theorist.</p>

<p>"We have explored the processes for impact-induced lunar fragments migrating into Earth co-orbital space and presented support for Kamo'oalewa's possible origin from the formation of the Giordano Bruno crater a few million years ago," wrote the researchers, in their&nbsp;paper&nbsp;which was published in the journal&nbsp;Nature Astronomy.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-nasas-juno-spacecraft-spots-lava-lake-on-jovian-moon-io-712875">NASA's Juno spacecraft spots glass-smooth lava lake and a mountain on a moon</a></p>

<p>"This would directly link a specific asteroid in space to its source crater on the Moon and suggests the existence of more small asteroids composed of lunar material yet to be discovered in near-Earth space," the researchers added.</p>

<p>For years, astronomers have remained fascinated by the space rock because it is orbiting the Sun in an Earth-like orbit and is likely to remain stable there for millions of years.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Space rock matches Moon's composition&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>According to spectrum analysis, the rock also perfectly matches the composition of the Moon.</p>

<p>University of Arizona planetary sciences professor Renu Malhotra, who is also a coauthor of another paper&nbsp;which also suggests&nbsp;that the chunk once belonged to the moon, while speaking to Astronomy, said, "We looked at Kamo’oalewa’s spectrum only because it was in an unusual orbit. If it had been a typical near-Earth asteroid, no one would have thought to find its spectrum and we wouldn’t have known Kamo’oalewa could be a lunar fragment."</p>

<p>With the use of computer models to simulate how Kamo’oalewa would have impacted&nbsp;the Moon's surface, Jiao and his colleagues&nbsp;reached the conclusion&nbsp;that it would have created a crater larger than 12 miles.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;US government asks NASA to create time zones for the moon</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-government-asks-nasa-to-create-time-zones-for-the-moon-707340/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The Giordano crater - which is spread across 13.6 miles - appeared like the best candidate to the scientists.</p>

<p>The lack of debris further suggested that the space rock is somewhere around ten and 100 million years old, which makes it relatively younger than the Moon.</p>

<p>"It is clear that the largest, youngest craters are more probable sources, as they produce more escaping fragments that&nbsp;still&nbsp;remain in space or the Earth co-orbital region," wrote Jiao and his team, adding that Giordano Bruno "is the only possible source crater satisfying the criterion."</p>


A team of astronomers, who have been trying to track the origin of the near-Earth asteroid Kamo'oalewa, are now proposing a theory which hints that it was most likely part of the Moon.

A team of astronomers, who have been trying to track the origin of the near-Earth asteroid Kamo'oalewa, are now proposing a theory which hints that it was most likely part of the Moon. The mysterious space rock was first discovered in 2016 and was between 130 and 328 feet in diameter. A research team, headed by Tsinghua University astronomer Yifei Jiao, has hinted that the rock had broken from a geological feature of the Moon known as the Giordano Bruno crater. The crater was named after a 16th-century Italian cosmological theorist. "We have explored the processes for impact-induced lunar fragments migrating into Earth co-orbital space and presented support for Kamo'oalewa's possible origin from the formation of the Giordano Bruno crater a few million years ago," wrote the researchers, in their paper which was published in the journal Nature Astronomy. Also Read: NASA's Juno spacecraft spots glass-smooth lava lake and a mountain on a moon "This would directly link a specific asteroid in space to its source crater on the Moon and suggests the existence of more small asteroids composed of lunar material yet to be discovered in near-Earth space," the researchers added. For years, astronomers have remained fascinated by the space rock because it is orbiting the Sun in an Earth-like orbit and is likely to remain stable there for millions of years. Space rock matches Moon's composition According to spectrum analysis, the rock also perfectly matches the composition of the Moon. University of Arizona planetary sciences professor Renu Malhotra, who is also a coauthor of another paper which also suggests that the chunk once belonged to the moon, while speaking to Astronomy, said, "We looked at Kamo’oalewa’s spectrum only because it was in an unusual orbit. If it had been a typical near-Earth asteroid, no one would have thought to find its spectrum and we wouldn’t have known Kamo’oalewa could be a lunar fragment." With the use of computer models to simulate how Kamo’oalewa would have impacted the Moon's surface, Jiao and his colleagues reached the conclusion that it would have created a crater larger than 12 miles. Watch: US government asks NASA to create time zones for the moon The Giordano crater - which is spread across 13.6 miles - appeared like the best candidate to the scientists. The lack of debris further suggested that the space rock is somewhere around ten and 100 million years old, which makes it relatively younger than the Moon. "It is clear that the largest, youngest craters are more probable sources, as they produce more escaping fragments that still remain in space or the Earth co-orbital region," wrote Jiao and his team, adding that Giordano Bruno "is the only possible source crater satisfying the criterion."

This asteroid orbits the Sun, left a massive crater on Moon, but without ever hitting it

<p>The past of the iconic Winchcombe meteorite that landed in the UK in Feb 2021, has now been revealed. After detailed scrutiny of the space rock, scientists found it came from an asteroid that had been heavily altered by water as well as smashed apart and reformed multiple times.</p>

<p>The fragments of the 2021 meteorite were found scattered in fields near the village of Winchcombe. This was the first meteorite fall in the UK whose fragments were retrieved, since 1991. With the help of eyewitnesses’ reports and the UK Fireball Alliance’s network of cameras, scientists were able to locate the approximate area in which the meteorite had fallen.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-invent-new-material-that-toughens-up-when-hit-by-rapid-impacts-712137">Scientists invent new material that toughens up with rapid impacts</a></p>

<p>The fragments were retrieved as quickly as possible, to save them from any kind of contamination. Though some parts of the fragments did have some terrestrial contamination, including from table salt, the Winchcombe fragments were the most pristine parts recovered from a fallen meteorite.</p>

<p>Since 2021, the history of the Winchcombe asteroid has remained a secret. The internal parts of the meteorite were teased out with sophisticated transmission electron microscopy and techniques such as electron backscatter diffraction, time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and atom probe tomography.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/when-small-dinosaurs-roamed-earth-scientists-discover-smallest-ever-titanosaur-species-712164">A 6-foot-tall dinosaur? Smallest-ever Titanosaurs to have walked the Earth discovered in Argentina</a></p>

<p>With the help of all these methods, scientists were able to retrieve the history of well-kept samples of the Winchcombe meteorite.</p>

<p>"This level of analysis of the Winchcombe meteorite is virtually unprecedented for materials that weren't directly returned to Earth from space missions, like moon rocks from the Apollo program or samples from the Ryugu asteroid collected by the Hayabusa 2 probe," said Leon Hicks of the University of Leicester in a statement.</p>

<h2><strong>What does the latest investigation show?</strong></h2>

<p>The latest analysis of the meteorite showed that fragments were made of breccia- where individual chunks of rock are cemented together. The Winchcombe meteorite is classified as a CM carbonaceous chondrite, which is a carbon-rich and stony rock.</p>

<p>The recent investigation, which probed the fragments at the nanometer scale, found that the Winchcombe breccia was formed from eight different types of CM chondrite, which are the most common variations of carbonaceous chondrite.</p>

<p>"We were fascinated to uncover just how fragmented the breccia was within the Winchcombe sample we analyzed," said Luke Daly of the University of Glasgow, who led the research.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bumblebee-species-can-survive-underwater-for-up-to-a-week-reveals-new-study-712268">Bumblebee species can survive underwater for up to a week, reveals new study</a></p>

<p>"If you imagine the Winchcombe meteorite as a jigsaw, what we saw in the analysis was as if each of the jigsaw pieces themselves had also been cut into smaller pieces and then jumbled in a bag filled with fragments of seven other jigsaws."</p>

<p>This implies the Winchcombe meteorite’s parent asteroid had been smashed apart and reformed multiple times, probably following collisions with other asteroids early in the solar system.</p>

<p>Also, the meteorite fragments had clear evidence of being chemically altered by liquid water before getting smashed apart. In some cases, grains altered by water were found right next to unaltered grains, so much jumbled had the breccia become.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The past of the iconic Winchcombe meteorite that landed in the UK in Feb 2021, has now been revealed. After detailed scrutiny of the space rock, scientists found it came from an asteroid that had been heavily altered by water as well as smashed apart and reformed multiple times.

The past of the iconic Winchcombe meteorite that landed in the UK in Feb 2021, has now been revealed. After detailed scrutiny of the space rock, scientists found it came from an asteroid that had been heavily altered by water as well as smashed apart and reformed multiple times. The fragments of the 2021 meteorite were found scattered in fields near the village of Winchcombe. This was the first meteorite fall in the UK whose fragments were retrieved, since 1991. With the help of eyewitnesses’ reports and the UK Fireball Alliance’s network of cameras, scientists were able to locate the approximate area in which the meteorite had fallen. Also Read | Scientists invent new material that toughens up with rapid impacts The fragments were retrieved as quickly as possible, to save them from any kind of contamination. Though some parts of the fragments did have some terrestrial contamination, including from table salt, the Winchcombe fragments were the most pristine parts recovered from a fallen meteorite. Since 2021, the history of the Winchcombe asteroid has remained a secret. The internal parts of the meteorite were teased out with sophisticated transmission electron microscopy and techniques such as electron backscatter diffraction, time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and atom probe tomography. Also Read | A 6-foot-tall dinosaur? Smallest-ever Titanosaurs to have walked the Earth discovered in Argentina With the help of all these methods, scientists were able to retrieve the history of well-kept samples of the Winchcombe meteorite. "This level of analysis of the Winchcombe meteorite is virtually unprecedented for materials that weren't directly returned to Earth from space missions, like moon rocks from the Apollo program or samples from the Ryugu asteroid collected by the Hayabusa 2 probe," said Leon Hicks of the University of Leicester in a statement. What does the latest investigation show? The latest analysis of the meteorite showed that fragments were made of breccia- where individual chunks of rock are cemented together. The Winchcombe meteorite is classified as a CM carbonaceous chondrite, which is a carbon-rich and stony rock. The recent investigation, which probed the fragments at the nanometer scale, found that the Winchcombe breccia was formed from eight different types of CM chondrite, which are the most common variations of carbonaceous chondrite. "We were fascinated to uncover just how fragmented the breccia was within the Winchcombe sample we analyzed," said Luke Daly of the University of Glasgow, who led the research. Also Read | Bumblebee species can survive underwater for up to a week, reveals new study "If you imagine the Winchcombe meteorite as a jigsaw, what we saw in the analysis was as if each of the jigsaw pieces themselves had also been cut into smaller pieces and then jumbled in a bag filled with fragments of seven other jigsaws." This implies the Winchcombe meteorite’s parent asteroid had been smashed apart and reformed multiple times, probably following collisions with other asteroids early in the solar system. Also, the meteorite fragments had clear evidence of being chemically altered by liquid water before getting smashed apart. In some cases, grains altered by water were found right next to unaltered grains, so much jumbled had the breccia become. (With inputs from agencies)

Winchcombe meteorite is a ‘jigsaw of seven jigsaws’, finds latest analysis

<p>Radar images of a 2,000-foot-wide asteroid were captured by NASA astronomers as the "potentially hazardous" asteroid safely passed by Earth on April 15.</p>

<p>The asteroid, which has been named 2013 NK4, was snapped by scientists using the Goldstone Radar in California on April 13.</p>

<p>"Radar narrow echoes probably establish that 2013 NK4 rotates very slowly, and the shape is bifurcated," said NASA.</p>

<p>According to the observations, asteroid 2013 NK4 is most likely a binary contact, which means the asteroid is made up of two bodies or asteroids which gravitated towards each other till they touched and hence, created the elongated shape.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/car-sized-asteroid-has-super-close-encounter-with-earth-flies-30-times-closer-than-moon-710374">Car-sized asteroid comes eerily close to Earth, much closer than even the Moon</a></p>

<p>The closest approach to the Earth was made by the space rock at 10:50 am&nbsp;EDT on Monday (April 15), when the asteroid was just around 2 million miles (3.2 million kilometres) away from our planet, as per NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What's new about the asteroid?</strong></h2>

<p>This "city-killer" asteroid, which safely passed across Earth after making its closest approach, was classified as "potentially hazardous" because of its size, even though it did not pose any threat to our planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The asteroid, which has been named 2013 NK4, is nearly 2,000 feet (610 meters) wide which makes it twice the size of the "god of chaos" asteroid Apophis which is expected to make a super-close approach to Earth in 2029.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas | The impact of NASA asteroid deflection</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-impact-of-nasa-asteroid-deflection-707437/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The asteroid is so large that it can destroy a large city and also lead to serious environmental impacts if it hits the Earth.</p>

<p>However, as per NASA's calculations, this asteroid will never have an impact on the Earth. The new thing about the asteroid is that for the first time, it is visible through amateur telescopes from April 15 to April 17.</p>

<p>One does not need a professional astronomer to see the space rock zooming in space. Anyone, who has a decent astronomy telescope, will be able to see the asteroid till April 17.</p>

<p>However, because of the asteroid's orientation relative to Earth, it will be more clearly seen on April 16 and April 17, according to EarthSky.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Radar images of a 2,000-foot-wide asteroid were captured by NASA astronomers as the "potentially hazardous" asteroid safely passed by Earth on April 15. The asteroid, which has been named 2013 NK4, was snapped by scientists using the Goldstone Radar in California on April 13.

Radar images of a 2,000-foot-wide asteroid were captured by NASA astronomers as the "potentially hazardous" asteroid safely passed by Earth on April 15. The asteroid, which has been named 2013 NK4, was snapped by scientists using the Goldstone Radar in California on April 13. "Radar narrow echoes probably establish that 2013 NK4 rotates very slowly, and the shape is bifurcated," said NASA. According to the observations, asteroid 2013 NK4 is most likely a binary contact, which means the asteroid is made up of two bodies or asteroids which gravitated towards each other till they touched and hence, created the elongated shape. Also Read: Car-sized asteroid comes eerily close to Earth, much closer than even the Moon The closest approach to the Earth was made by the space rock at 10:50 am EDT on Monday (April 15), when the asteroid was just around 2 million miles (3.2 million kilometres) away from our planet, as per NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). What's new about the asteroid? This "city-killer" asteroid, which safely passed across Earth after making its closest approach, was classified as "potentially hazardous" because of its size, even though it did not pose any threat to our planet. The asteroid, which has been named 2013 NK4, is nearly 2,000 feet (610 meters) wide which makes it twice the size of the "god of chaos" asteroid Apophis which is expected to make a super-close approach to Earth in 2029. Watch: Gravitas | The impact of NASA asteroid deflection The asteroid is so large that it can destroy a large city and also lead to serious environmental impacts if it hits the Earth. However, as per NASA's calculations, this asteroid will never have an impact on the Earth. The new thing about the asteroid is that for the first time, it is visible through amateur telescopes from April 15 to April 17. One does not need a professional astronomer to see the space rock zooming in space. Anyone, who has a decent astronomy telescope, will be able to see the asteroid till April 17. However, because of the asteroid's orientation relative to Earth, it will be more clearly seen on April 16 and April 17, according to EarthSky. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA snaps 2,000-foot-wide asteroid, visible through amateur telescopes, as it zips past Earth

<p>Scientists spotted a massive, car-sized asteroid two days before it had an extremely close shave with Earth on Thursday (April 11).&nbsp;</p>

<p>To everyone's relief, the 9.4-foot space rock, although came very close to Earth, made a harmless pass by the planet.</p>

<p>The newly-discovered asteroid 2024 GJ2 is around the size of a car and after it was spotted by astronomers they calculated that the space rock would pass by Earth at a mere distance of 19.3 thousand kilometres from Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is just three per cent of the distance between the Moon and the Earth. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), 2024 GJ2 measures between 2.5 and 5 metres (8.2 and 16 feet).</p>

<p>Its size means that it is an asteroid with a weight class which would have burned up in the atmosphere of the Earth if its orbit intersected with ours more directly.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-blasts-an-asteroid-in-space-it-now-fears-its-debris-may-collide-with-mars-707195">NASA blasted an asteroid in space. It now fears boulders may collide with Mars</a></p>

<p>As per the astronomers, the asteroid made its closest approach at 2:28:42 p.m. EDT, when it was at a distance of 12,298 kilometres from Earth on Thursday (April 11).</p>

<p>The asteroid will not return&nbsp;till 2093, as per the near-Earth Objects Coordination Centre of the ESA. However, at that time, the asteroid will not fly as close as it did this time.</p>

<p>In 2093, asteroid GJ2 is expected to fly as close as 205,947 kilometres from us, which is 10 times farther than the distance at which it flew this time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Around 35,000 near-Earth asteroids have been catalogued by NASA to date, although very few of them threaten&nbsp;our planet.</p>

<h2><strong>What are asteroids and how does NASA track them?</strong></h2>

<p>As per the scientists, asteroids are space rocks and some of them are also made of metal and orbit around the Sun.</p>

<p>Some asteroids are tiny and some are as huge as boulders. The asteroids can also fly even hundreds of kilometres across.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These asteroids have remained preserved in the solar system from the time it came into existence some 4.6 billion years ago.</p>

<p>The asteroids can also cause massive damage and hence, the space agencies track them. A range of instruments are used by the US space agency NASA to track the asteroids.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas | The impact of NASA asteroid deflection</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-impact-of-nasa-asteroid-deflection-707437/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>NASA has observatories which are equipped with powerful telescopes that are capable of scanning the skies from Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA has these observatories at different places across the world such as Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii and Lowell Observatory in Arizona.</p>

<p>Similar observatories have also been opened by NASA in space to better understand the asteroids' trajectories properly.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Scientists spotted a massive, car-sized asteroid two days before it had an extremely close shave with Earth on Thursday (April 11). To everyone's relief, the 9.4-foot space rock, although came very close to Earth, made a harmless pass by the planet.

Scientists spotted a massive, car-sized asteroid two days before it had an extremely close shave with Earth on Thursday (April 11). To everyone's relief, the 9.4-foot space rock, although came very close to Earth, made a harmless pass by the planet. The newly-discovered asteroid 2024 GJ2 is around the size of a car and after it was spotted by astronomers they calculated that the space rock would pass by Earth at a mere distance of 19.3 thousand kilometres from Earth. This is just three per cent of the distance between the Moon and the Earth. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), 2024 GJ2 measures between 2.5 and 5 metres (8.2 and 16 feet). Its size means that it is an asteroid with a weight class which would have burned up in the atmosphere of the Earth if its orbit intersected with ours more directly. Also Read: NASA blasted an asteroid in space. It now fears boulders may collide with Mars As per the astronomers, the asteroid made its closest approach at 2:28:42 p.m. EDT, when it was at a distance of 12,298 kilometres from Earth on Thursday (April 11). The asteroid will not return till 2093, as per the near-Earth Objects Coordination Centre of the ESA. However, at that time, the asteroid will not fly as close as it did this time. In 2093, asteroid GJ2 is expected to fly as close as 205,947 kilometres from us, which is 10 times farther than the distance at which it flew this time. Around 35,000 near-Earth asteroids have been catalogued by NASA to date, although very few of them threaten our planet. What are asteroids and how does NASA track them? As per the scientists, asteroids are space rocks and some of them are also made of metal and orbit around the Sun. Some asteroids are tiny and some are as huge as boulders. The asteroids can also fly even hundreds of kilometres across. These asteroids have remained preserved in the solar system from the time it came into existence some 4.6 billion years ago. The asteroids can also cause massive damage and hence, the space agencies track them. A range of instruments are used by the US space agency NASA to track the asteroids. Watch: Gravitas | The impact of NASA asteroid deflection NASA has observatories which are equipped with powerful telescopes that are capable of scanning the skies from Earth. NASA has these observatories at different places across the world such as Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii and Lowell Observatory in Arizona. Similar observatories have also been opened by NASA in space to better understand the asteroids' trajectories properly. (With inputs from agencies)

Car-sized asteroid comes eerily close to Earth, much closer than even the Moon

NASA achieved a resounding success last year when it intentionally crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid. The test was a way to deflect potentially hazardous space rocks from hitting Earth. Our next story tells you how this first-of-his-kind planetary defence experiment now has unintended unintended consequences.

Gravitas | The impact of NASA asteroid deflection

NASA's dart fallout! Asteroid Dimorphos debris may rain on Mars

<p><strong>NASA Dart Mission Asteroid:</strong> A distant asteroid was broken into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in space in 2022 as part of a test programme&nbsp;to deflect&nbsp;celestial bodies threatening to hit&nbsp;Earth. While the DART mission was the talk of the town at the time, the debris of the asteroid in question is&nbsp;returning to haunt a planet. Worry not, as&nbsp;Earth is safe but our red neighbour&nbsp;Mars is not.</p>

<h2><strong>NASA Dart Mission</strong></h2>

<p>An asteroid, known as Dimorphos, was knocked off its original orbit and shattered into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in a groundbreaking mission. In this mission, it was also proved that the scientists on Earth have the capability to redirect an asteroid if it ever poses a threat to the planet.</p>

<p>The test ended successfully as NASA was able to prove that a kinetic impactor has the capability of changing an asteroid's orbit and also altering its overall trajectory.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-space-telescope-probes-binary-asteroid-system-mors-somnus-in-kuiper-belt-to-know-neptunes-past-697855">James Webb Space Telescope probes binary asteroid system Mors-Somnus in Kuiper Belt to know Neptune's past</a></p>

<p>In the test, a vending machine-sized spacecraft was launched by NASA at an asteroid system which had two space rocks, Didymos and Dimorphos. The collision of the DART spacecraft reduced the speed of &nbsp;Dimorphos' orbit time around Didymos by 32 minutes and 42 seconds.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Humans generate a meteor storm</strong></h2>

<p>In a paper, which was published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the researchers said that the pieces of Dimorphos can enter the thin atmosphere of Mars and even hit its surface, where it will create craters.</p>

<p>The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, has stated the myriad ways in which these boulders are likely to orbit around the Sun in the next 20,000 years. However, the scientists failed to find any possibility of them getting burnt up in the skies of the Earth.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Collision with NASA spacecraft altered shape of asteroid</strong></p>

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<p>A near-Earth object dynamicist at the European Space Agency’s Near-Earth Objects Coordination Centre study author Marco Fenucci said, "But they’re going to cross the orbit of Mars."</p>

<p>They added that if by any chance both Mars and the mini-asteroids meet at a crossing, some of them will enter its thin atmosphere. “And they will arrive to the ground and make a crater,” said Fenucci.</p>

<p>This is the first time humans have generated their own meteor storm which is likely to end up hitting a rocky planet.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA Dart Mission Asteroid: A distant asteroid was broken into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in space in 2022 as part of a test programme to deflect celestial bodies threatening to hit Earth.

NASA Dart Mission Asteroid: A distant asteroid was broken into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in space in 2022 as part of a test programme to deflect celestial bodies threatening to hit Earth. While the DART mission was the talk of the town at the time, the debris of the asteroid in question is returning to haunt a planet. Worry not, as Earth is safe but our red neighbour Mars is not. NASA Dart Mission An asteroid, known as Dimorphos, was knocked off its original orbit and shattered into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in a groundbreaking mission. In this mission, it was also proved that the scientists on Earth have the capability to redirect an asteroid if it ever poses a threat to the planet. The test ended successfully as NASA was able to prove that a kinetic impactor has the capability of changing an asteroid's orbit and also altering its overall trajectory. Also Read: James Webb Space Telescope probes binary asteroid system Mors-Somnus in Kuiper Belt to know Neptune's past In the test, a vending machine-sized spacecraft was launched by NASA at an asteroid system which had two space rocks, Didymos and Dimorphos. The collision of the DART spacecraft reduced the speed of Dimorphos' orbit time around Didymos by 32 minutes and 42 seconds. Humans generate a meteor storm In a paper, which was published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the researchers said that the pieces of Dimorphos can enter the thin atmosphere of Mars and even hit its surface, where it will create craters. The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, has stated the myriad ways in which these boulders are likely to orbit around the Sun in the next 20,000 years. However, the scientists failed to find any possibility of them getting burnt up in the skies of the Earth. Watch: Collision with NASA spacecraft altered shape of asteroid A near-Earth object dynamicist at the European Space Agency’s Near-Earth Objects Coordination Centre study author Marco Fenucci said, "But they’re going to cross the orbit of Mars." They added that if by any chance both Mars and the mini-asteroids meet at a crossing, some of them will enter its thin atmosphere. “And they will arrive to the ground and make a crater,” said Fenucci. This is the first time humans have generated their own meteor storm which is likely to end up hitting a rocky planet. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA blasted an asteroid in space. It now fears boulders may collide with Mars

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidKC21yfxuiYWP" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>In a stunning discovery, a group of scientists working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in California found that a single meteorite led to the creation of two billion craters on the Martian surface.</p>

<p>Along with the 2.3 million-year-old crater, known as Corinto, which is spread over the 8.6 miles surface of the planet, the asteroid also led to the creation of several billion secondary craters after it hit the Martian Surface and sent up a huge plume of rocks, reported New Scientist.</p>

<p>A chain reaction was triggered by these rocks and even more craters were added as they came crashing down.</p>

<p>After analysing the satellite images, JPL's Matthew Golombek and his teammates tried to get an idea of the number of craters which may have been triggered by the blast. They found that Corinto had between 1.3 and 3&nbsp;<em>billion</em>&nbsp;"secondaries," and each of them was at least 33 feet apart from the other.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Corinto is a fresh impact crater in Elysium Panitia that produced one of the most extensive systems of…secondary craters on Mars," wrote the researchers, in the study, which was released at the conference.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/major-breakthrough-giant-volcano-found-on-mars-with-glacier-ice-beneath-it-what-could-it-mean-for-humans-699969">Major breakthrough! Giant volcano found on Mars with glacier ice beneath it. What could it mean for humans?</a></p>

<p>The study can help scientists understand complex geological processes which take place on the Martian surface and how its composition and landscapes have changed over time.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Falling Rocks</strong></h2>

<p>The area, which has been pockmarked by billions of craters, is very massive and spreads out in 540,000 square miles — which coincidentally also includes NASA's InSight Mars lander landing spot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The observed differences…with distance from the crater likely result from variations in impact velocity and size of ejecta," said the researchers, in the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Quantifying the number of secondaries is important to better understand how a relatively small crater could possibly eject that much material during the cratering process," said Golombek, while speaking to New Scientist.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;UN 'red alert' for planet earth | Flash floods wreak havoc in Iraqi city</strong></p>

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<p>Meanwhile, more recent meteorite impacts have also helped scientists make fascinating discoveries.</p>

<p>In 2022, a massive marsquake was detected by InSight which was found to be the result of one of the biggest observed meteors which is said to have hit Mars. The meteors' impact was said to be so powerful that it blasted up chunks of underground ice.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a stunning discovery, a group of scientists working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in California found that a single meteorite led to the creation of two billion craters on the Martian surface.

In a stunning discovery, a group of scientists working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in California found that a single meteorite led to the creation of two billion craters on the Martian surface. Along with the 2.3 million-year-old crater, known as Corinto, which is spread over the 8.6 miles surface of the planet, the asteroid also led to the creation of several billion secondary craters after it hit the Martian Surface and sent up a huge plume of rocks, reported New Scientist. A chain reaction was triggered by these rocks and even more craters were added as they came crashing down. After analysing the satellite images, JPL's Matthew Golombek and his teammates tried to get an idea of the number of craters which may have been triggered by the blast. They found that Corinto had between 1.3 and 3 billion "secondaries," and each of them was at least 33 feet apart from the other. "Corinto is a fresh impact crater in Elysium Panitia that produced one of the most extensive systems of…secondary craters on Mars," wrote the researchers, in the study, which was released at the conference. Also Read: Major breakthrough! Giant volcano found on Mars with glacier ice beneath it. What could it mean for humans? The study can help scientists understand complex geological processes which take place on the Martian surface and how its composition and landscapes have changed over time. Falling Rocks The area, which has been pockmarked by billions of craters, is very massive and spreads out in 540,000 square miles — which coincidentally also includes NASA's InSight Mars lander landing spot. "The observed differences…with distance from the crater likely result from variations in impact velocity and size of ejecta," said the researchers, in the study. "Quantifying the number of secondaries is important to better understand how a relatively small crater could possibly eject that much material during the cratering process," said Golombek, while speaking to New Scientist. Watch: UN 'red alert' for planet earth | Flash floods wreak havoc in Iraqi city Meanwhile, more recent meteorite impacts have also helped scientists make fascinating discoveries. In 2022, a massive marsquake was detected by InSight which was found to be the result of one of the biggest observed meteors which is said to have hit Mars. The meteors' impact was said to be so powerful that it blasted up chunks of underground ice. (With inputs from agencies)

Massive asteroid led to two billion craters on surface of Mars, claim scientists

<p>The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has honoured an Indian scientist by naming an asteroid after his name. Professor Jayant Murthy has been awarded for his work on the interstellar medium, ultraviolet astronomy, and space missions. Asteroid (215884) Jayantmurthy will always carry the rich legacy of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) scientist, previously named as 2005 EX296.</p>

<p>IAU is an international body entrusted with the job of naming small objects in the solar system. The asteroid (215884) Jayantmurthy was discovered by MW Buie at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, USA, in 2005. It orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter every 3.3 years</p>

<h2><strong>Jayant Murthy’s reaction</strong></h2>

<p>Jayant Murthy expressed his gratitude to the IAU as well as excitement upon hearing the news.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiyjor28ImFAxU9jGMGHTAaAswQxfQBKAB6BAgaEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-call-to-protect-radio-silence-on-moons-far-side-amid-growing-scientific-interest-in-the-region-703006" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-call-to-protect-radio-silence-on-moons-far-side-amid-growing-scientific-interest-in-the-region-703006&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiyjor28ImFAxU9jGMGHTAaAswQxfQBKAB6BAgaEAE">Astronomers call to protect radio silence on Moon`s far side amid growing scientific interest in the region</a></strong></p>

<p>“I am thrilled to have an asteroid named after me, in connection with my work on the New Horizons team, led by Dr. Alan Stern," Professor Murthy said.</p>

<h2><strong>About Professor Murthy</strong></h2>

<p>Professor Murthy concluded his tenure at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in 2021 and has since been serving as an Honorary Professor. He previously assumed the role of acting director at the institute from July 2018 to October 2019.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;China's first hydrogen-powered urban train completes testing</strong></p>

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<p>His scholarly achievements have significantly enhanced our understanding of the universe, particularly through his involvement with NASA's New Horizons Science Team. The team's endeavours to observe ultraviolet background radiation have played a crucial role in broadening our understanding of cosmic phenomena.</p>

<p>Professor Murthy's invaluable contributions to the New Horizons mission included the study of ultraviolet background radiation in the outer reaches of the Solar System, where the influence of the Sun and interplanetary medium is minimal.</p>

<p>Launched by NASA, New Horizons captured global attention with its historic flyby of Pluto in 2015, delivering unparalleled insights and data about the dwarf planet and its satellites.</p>

<p>Annapurni Subramaniam, director, IIA, termed the asteroid naming “a very rare honour”. Murthy joins the ranks of previous IIA directors MK Vainu Bappu and JC Bhattacharyya, who also have asteroids named after them.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has honoured an Indian scientist by naming an asteroid after his name. Professor Jayant Murthy has been awarded for his work on the interstellar medium, ultraviolet astronomy, and space missions.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has honoured an Indian scientist by naming an asteroid after his name. Professor Jayant Murthy has been awarded for his work on the interstellar medium, ultraviolet astronomy, and space missions. Asteroid (215884) Jayantmurthy will always carry the rich legacy of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) scientist, previously named as 2005 EX296. IAU is an international body entrusted with the job of naming small objects in the solar system. The asteroid (215884) Jayantmurthy was discovered by MW Buie at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, USA, in 2005. It orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter every 3.3 years Jayant Murthy’s reaction Jayant Murthy expressed his gratitude to the IAU as well as excitement upon hearing the news. Also read: Astronomers call to protect radio silence on Moon`s far side amid growing scientific interest in the region “I am thrilled to have an asteroid named after me, in connection with my work on the New Horizons team, led by Dr. Alan Stern," Professor Murthy said. About Professor Murthy Professor Murthy concluded his tenure at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in 2021 and has since been serving as an Honorary Professor. He previously assumed the role of acting director at the institute from July 2018 to October 2019. Watch: China's first hydrogen-powered urban train completes testing × His scholarly achievements have significantly enhanced our understanding of the universe, particularly through his involvement with NASA's New Horizons Science Team. The team's endeavours to observe ultraviolet background radiation have played a crucial role in broadening our understanding of cosmic phenomena. Professor Murthy's invaluable contributions to the New Horizons mission included the study of ultraviolet background radiation in the outer reaches of the Solar System, where the influence of the Sun and interplanetary medium is minimal. Launched by NASA, New Horizons captured global attention with its historic flyby of Pluto in 2015, delivering unparalleled insights and data about the dwarf planet and its satellites. Annapurni Subramaniam, director, IIA, termed the asteroid naming “a very rare honour”. Murthy joins the ranks of previous IIA directors MK Vainu Bappu and JC Bhattacharyya, who also have asteroids named after them. (With inputs from agencies)

International body names asteroid after Indian scientist Professor Jayant Murthy in ‘rare honour’

When NASA sent its DART spacecraft to slam into the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, the U.S. space agency demonstrated that it was possible to change a celestial object's trajectory, if needed, to protect Earth. It turns out that this collision changed not only the asteroid's path but its shape as well.

Collision with NASA spacecraft altered shape of asteroid

Studies of the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu sample collected in space and brought to Earth by NASA reveals never seen before minerals. The asteroid also contains also high-carbon content and water, which together could indicate the building blocks of life on earth may be found in the rock.

NASA's Bennu asteroid sample contains carbon, water

<p>NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft that was deliberately crashed into an asteroid may have&nbsp;reshaped the celestial body by its impact from a squat orb into a flat-topped oval, like an M&amp;M candy., scientists have discovered.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Investigation into the spacecraft's collision with the asteroid&nbsp;named Dimorphos, published in <em>Nature Astronomy</em>,&nbsp;has found that DART's impact was so severe that instead of a&nbsp;normal, bowl-shaped crater, something resembling a dent was formed on the widened surface.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Simulations run by the scientists showed that between 0.5 per cent and one per cent of&nbsp;Dimorphos' mass was ejected due to DART's impact, while eight per cent of its mass was redistributed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The material properties and structure of Dimorphos as derived in this study suggests the small moon likely formed through rotational mass shedding and re-accumulation from Didymos," said&nbsp;Sabina Raducan, a scientist at the University of Bern who led the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study corroborates what&nbsp;the European Space Agency, James Webb and Hubble said after DART successfully crashed into Dimorphos.</p>

<p>&nbsp;At the time,&nbsp;an image taken by James Webb's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) four hours after impact showed&nbsp;"plumes of material appearing as wisps streaming away from the centre of where the impact took place".&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasas-dart-mission-the-worlds-first-planetary-defence-520044" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH | NASA's Dart mission: The world's first planetary defence</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>DART changes Dimorphos' orbit&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>After the successful impact, NASA released a&nbsp;series of satellite-acquired images, and radar images amongst other indicators to show that the harmless asteroid, millions of miles away from&nbsp;Earth was slotted away from its original orbit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Analysis of data obtained over the past two weeks by NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) investigation team shows the spacecraft's kinetic impact with its target asteroid, Dimorphos, successfully altered the asteroid’s orbit," said the premier space agency in a statement.</p>

<p>The $325 million DART spacecraft was the first attempt to move any natural object in space. It was&nbsp;launched in November 2021 and developed by the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-struck-by-nasa-probe-leaves-a-10000-km-trail-in-its-wake-522817"><strong>Read more:&nbsp;Asteroid struck by NASA spacecraft leaves a 10,000 km trail in its wake</strong></a></p>

<p>The primary aim of DART was to test planetary defence methods in case a civilisation-threatening object hurtled towards the planet. The tech employed by DART may have been primitive but it has provided a base for the scientists to further their research to prepare and stave off rogue space bodies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft that was deliberately crashed into an asteroid may have reshaped the celestial body by its impact from a squat orb into a flat-topped oval, like an M&M candy.

NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft that was deliberately crashed into an asteroid may have reshaped the celestial body by its impact from a squat orb into a flat-topped oval, like an M&M candy., scientists have discovered. Investigation into the spacecraft's collision with the asteroid named Dimorphos, published in Nature Astronomy, has found that DART's impact was so severe that instead of a normal, bowl-shaped crater, something resembling a dent was formed on the widened surface. Simulations run by the scientists showed that between 0.5 per cent and one per cent of Dimorphos' mass was ejected due to DART's impact, while eight per cent of its mass was redistributed. "The material properties and structure of Dimorphos as derived in this study suggests the small moon likely formed through rotational mass shedding and re-accumulation from Didymos," said Sabina Raducan, a scientist at the University of Bern who led the study. The study corroborates what the European Space Agency, James Webb and Hubble said after DART successfully crashed into Dimorphos. At the time, an image taken by James Webb's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) four hours after impact showed "plumes of material appearing as wisps streaming away from the centre of where the impact took place". WATCH | NASA's Dart mission: The world's first planetary defence DART changes Dimorphos' orbit After the successful impact, NASA released a series of satellite-acquired images, and radar images amongst other indicators to show that the harmless asteroid, millions of miles away from Earth was slotted away from its original orbit. "Analysis of data obtained over the past two weeks by NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) investigation team shows the spacecraft's kinetic impact with its target asteroid, Dimorphos, successfully altered the asteroid’s orbit," said the premier space agency in a statement. The $325 million DART spacecraft was the first attempt to move any natural object in space. It was launched in November 2021 and developed by the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University. Read more: Asteroid struck by NASA spacecraft leaves a 10,000 km trail in its wake The primary aim of DART was to test planetary defence methods in case a civilisation-threatening object hurtled towards the planet. The tech employed by DART may have been primitive but it has provided a base for the scientists to further their research to prepare and stave off rogue space bodies. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's DART mission altered shape of asteroid it crashed into, scientists reveal

<p>Asteroids are fun to study and look at and so on... only till they don't collide with Earth. In case they do, we have plans ready to prevent total annihilation of human civilization as we know it. But these plans aren't fool-proof. So studies continue to enhance our knowledge of asteroids and how to tackle a nasty one who may one day cross our path.</p>

<p>An interesting phenomenon in this regard has been observed, that of an asteroid 'healing' itself after impact.</p>

<p>NASA rammed its DART probe ( Double Asteroid Redirection Test) into the asteroid Dimorphos in September 2022. The shape of the tiny asteroid changed considerably after the impact.</p>

<p>The mission was carried out as a test of our abilities to change the trajectory of an asteroid by ramming a spacecraft into it. This may come handy in a future mission in which we would ram such an object into an incoming asteroid, averting its collission with Earth and preventing end of humanity.</p>

<p>After the DART mission, a subsequent mission will be sent to observe Dimorphos. It is likely that the mission will find a 'healed' pile of rocks instead of an impact crater as it was left by DART.</p>

<p>A study led by planetary scientist Sabina Raducan from University of Bern made a simulation of the collision between DART probe and Dimorphos. They tried to replicate result of the actual collision. The results were consistent with what was actually obtained during the acrtual collision.</p>

<p>According to the simulation, it is predicted by the scientists that DART collision didn't create an impact crater that lasted for a long time. But the material which forms the asteroid 'healed' (or bounced back) after some time period.</p>

<p>This confirms what scientists think, Dimorphos is made of loose material of lesser density.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA) is launching the Hera Mission later this year to study Dimorphos and Didymos, another asteroid around which Dimorphos revolves. This is likely to shed more light on these two space rocks.</p>

<p>The current study has been published in Nature Astronomy.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Asteroids are fun to study and look at and so on... only till they don't collide with Earth. In case they do, we have plans ready to prevent total annihilation of human civilization as we know it.

Asteroids are fun to study and look at and so on... only till they don't collide with Earth. In case they do, we have plans ready to prevent total annihilation of human civilization as we know it. But these plans aren't fool-proof. So studies continue to enhance our knowledge of asteroids and how to tackle a nasty one who may one day cross our path. An interesting phenomenon in this regard has been observed, that of an asteroid 'healing' itself after impact. NASA rammed its DART probe ( Double Asteroid Redirection Test) into the asteroid Dimorphos in September 2022. The shape of the tiny asteroid changed considerably after the impact. The mission was carried out as a test of our abilities to change the trajectory of an asteroid by ramming a spacecraft into it. This may come handy in a future mission in which we would ram such an object into an incoming asteroid, averting its collission with Earth and preventing end of humanity. After the DART mission, a subsequent mission will be sent to observe Dimorphos. It is likely that the mission will find a 'healed' pile of rocks instead of an impact crater as it was left by DART. A study led by planetary scientist Sabina Raducan from University of Bern made a simulation of the collision between DART probe and Dimorphos. They tried to replicate result of the actual collision. The results were consistent with what was actually obtained during the acrtual collision. According to the simulation, it is predicted by the scientists that DART collision didn't create an impact crater that lasted for a long time. But the material which forms the asteroid 'healed' (or bounced back) after some time period. This confirms what scientists think, Dimorphos is made of loose material of lesser density. The European Space Agency (ESA) is launching the Hera Mission later this year to study Dimorphos and Didymos, another asteroid around which Dimorphos revolves. This is likely to shed more light on these two space rocks. The current study has been published in Nature Astronomy. (With inputs from agencies)

DART mission asteroid 'healed' after space probe's impact: Study

In 2022, when NASA's $325 million spacecraft crashed into an asteroid named Dimorphos at 14,000 miles per hour, cheers and applause erupted back on Earth. A new study using simulations suggests the impact in 2022 transformed the space rock into an M&M-like flat-top oval.

NASA's dart mission may have altered the shape of asteroid it crashed into | Trending on WION

An asteroid flew past earth closer than the distance to the moon. The asteroid was detected by scientists only last week. The asteroid potentially weighs 100s of tonnes. Scientists also made an interesting discovery. By decoding data from sofia infrared telescope researchers have confirmed the presence of water on two asteroids. Watch the story to find how the space is full of mysteries.

Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss

<p>An asteroid hit Earth 65 million years ago and in one stroke, started a process that resulted in the elimination of 75 per cent of life on Earth over the next decade and ended the reign of dinosaurs. It is almost unanimously held that the catastrophic event paved the way for mammals and other forms of life to thrive and for humans to ultimately develop. But did the asteroid help birds?</p>

<p>Modern birds have evolved from some of the smaller dinosaurs and it is held to be logical that in the food-deficient aftermath of the asteroid hit, smaller life-forms were able to survive as opposed to their much larger 'dino' counterparts. This eventually resulted in the evolution of the 'normal-sized' birds we see today.</p>

<p>But a study now contends that the asteroid hit did not have an effect on the evolution of birds as they had started diversifying even before the catastrophic event.</p>

<p>The study was published on Monday (Feb 12) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Alaskapox: The new killer virus claims its first victim</strong></p>

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<p>To arrive at their conclusion, the scientists studied 124 bird species.</p>

<p>“We found that this catastrophe didn’t have an impact on modern birds,” said Dr Shaoyuan Wu, an evolutionary biologist at Jiangsu Normal University, China</p>

<p>As reported by The New York Times, the international team of researchers found during the study that birds that are alive today had a common ancestor 130 million years ago. The ancestor&nbsp;evolved into different birds over millennia. However, the researchers say that the 'family tree' of this evolution was splitting steadily, both before and after the asteroid hit.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alien-faced-new-species-of-millipede-discovered-in-jungles-of-tanzania-690348">'Alien-faced' new species of millipede discovered in jungles of Tanzania</a></strong></p>

<p>In other words, the asteroid hit in itself did not have an influence on the evolution of birds, contend the researchers.</p>

<p>The scientific community in general continues to study the asteroid impact that came close to eliminating life on Earth by causing huge tsunamis, massive forest fires and triggering a decade-long winter.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An asteroid hit Earth 65 million years ago and in one stroke, started a process that resulted in the elimination of 75 per cent of life on Earth over the next decade and ended the reign of dinosaurs.

An asteroid hit Earth 65 million years ago and in one stroke, started a process that resulted in the elimination of 75 per cent of life on Earth over the next decade and ended the reign of dinosaurs. It is almost unanimously held that the catastrophic event paved the way for mammals and other forms of life to thrive and for humans to ultimately develop. But did the asteroid help birds? Modern birds have evolved from some of the smaller dinosaurs and it is held to be logical that in the food-deficient aftermath of the asteroid hit, smaller life-forms were able to survive as opposed to their much larger 'dino' counterparts. This eventually resulted in the evolution of the 'normal-sized' birds we see today. But a study now contends that the asteroid hit did not have an effect on the evolution of birds as they had started diversifying even before the catastrophic event. The study was published on Monday (Feb 12) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Watch | Alaskapox: The new killer virus claims its first victim × To arrive at their conclusion, the scientists studied 124 bird species. “We found that this catastrophe didn’t have an impact on modern birds,” said Dr Shaoyuan Wu, an evolutionary biologist at Jiangsu Normal University, China As reported by The New York Times, the international team of researchers found during the study that birds that are alive today had a common ancestor 130 million years ago. The ancestor evolved into different birds over millennia. However, the researchers say that the 'family tree' of this evolution was splitting steadily, both before and after the asteroid hit. Also read | 'Alien-faced' new species of millipede discovered in jungles of Tanzania In other words, the asteroid hit in itself did not have an influence on the evolution of birds, contend the researchers. The scientific community in general continues to study the asteroid impact that came close to eliminating life on Earth by causing huge tsunamis, massive forest fires and triggering a decade-long winter. (With inputs from agencies)

An asteroid hit ended dinosaurs' reign. But did birds flourish because of it?

<p>When humans found traces of water on the Moon, it was the first sign of life on other celestial bodies, and our quest to explore the outer world more hasn’t stopped since then. Now, scientists have found water on the surface of asteroids for the first time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The discovery was made with the help of data from the SOFIA infrared telescope on the targeted Iris and Massalia asteroids.</p>

<p>Iris is 199 km (124 miles) in diameter, about 99 per cent larger than other asteroids. Massalia, on the other hand, is 135 km in diameter and shares an orbit similar to Iris's.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/submerged-wall-could-be-largest-stone-age-megastructure-in-europe-690018">Submerged wall could be largest Stone Age megastructure in Europe</a></p>

<p>Just like other asteroids, Iris and Massalia also orbit the Sun, and it was long believed by scientists that any form of water on them should have evaporated long ago. But the&nbsp;recent discovery busted all those theories.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Talking about the locations of the asteroids, both Iris and Massalia are situated between Mars and Jupiter at an average distance of 2.39 astronomical units taking 3.7 years to complete one orbit.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How water was found on asteroids?</strong></h2>

<p>Data captured by SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy which retired in 2022, has revealed the existence of water on asteroids Iris and Massalia. It's not the first time SOFIA has made such a discovery; in October 2020 SOFIA also identified water on the Moon.</p>

<p>SOFIA used its Faint InfraRed Camera (FORCAST) to detect the traces of water molecules on the surface equivalent to 350 millimetres of water in a cubic metre of soil.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/clinical-study-brings-hope-for-millions-potential-prevention-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-with-new-jab-690135">Potential prevention of rheumatoid arthritis with injection? Clinical study brings hope for millions</a></p>

<p>Dr Anicia Arredondo, the lead author of&nbsp;the paper from the Southwest Research Institute confirmed that based on the strength of the spectral lines, the volume and prevalence of water on the asteroids was consistent as found on the Moon. It was also locked up, bound to minerals and&nbsp;absorbed by silicates, just like it is on the Moon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Data was also analysed from two fainter asteroids, Parthenope and Melpomene, but there was too much noise to yield a conclusive result, said Arredondo.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/old-joke-apes-exhibit-teasing-behavior-suggesting-an-ancient-trait-690176">Old joke: Apes exhibit teasing behavior, suggesting an ancient trait</a></p>

<p>This highlights that the FORCAST instrument lacks the necessary sensitivity to identify the spectral feature of water on these asteroids if indeed it was present.</p>

<p>The team said further investigation is required to grasp the distribution of water throughout the Solar System comprehensively.&nbsp;But based on the current study, the team intends to leverage the capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope, which is of superior quality optics and has significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio, to dig deeper into this matter.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


When humans found traces of water on the Moon, it was the first sign of life on other celestial bodies, and our quest to explore the outer world more hasn’t stopped since then.

When humans found traces of water on the Moon, it was the first sign of life on other celestial bodies, and our quest to explore the outer world more hasn’t stopped since then. Now, scientists have found water on the surface of asteroids for the first time. The discovery was made with the help of data from the SOFIA infrared telescope on the targeted Iris and Massalia asteroids. Iris is 199 km (124 miles) in diameter, about 99 per cent larger than other asteroids. Massalia, on the other hand, is 135 km in diameter and shares an orbit similar to Iris's. Also Read | Submerged wall could be largest Stone Age megastructure in Europe Just like other asteroids, Iris and Massalia also orbit the Sun, and it was long believed by scientists that any form of water on them should have evaporated long ago. But the recent discovery busted all those theories. Talking about the locations of the asteroids, both Iris and Massalia are situated between Mars and Jupiter at an average distance of 2.39 astronomical units taking 3.7 years to complete one orbit. How water was found on asteroids? Data captured by SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy which retired in 2022, has revealed the existence of water on asteroids Iris and Massalia. It's not the first time SOFIA has made such a discovery; in October 2020 SOFIA also identified water on the Moon. SOFIA used its Faint InfraRed Camera (FORCAST) to detect the traces of water molecules on the surface equivalent to 350 millimetres of water in a cubic metre of soil. Also Read | Potential prevention of rheumatoid arthritis with injection? Clinical study brings hope for millions Dr Anicia Arredondo, the lead author of the paper from the Southwest Research Institute confirmed that based on the strength of the spectral lines, the volume and prevalence of water on the asteroids was consistent as found on the Moon. It was also locked up, bound to minerals and absorbed by silicates, just like it is on the Moon. Data was also analysed from two fainter asteroids, Parthenope and Melpomene, but there was too much noise to yield a conclusive result, said Arredondo. Also Read | Old joke: Apes exhibit teasing behavior, suggesting an ancient trait This highlights that the FORCAST instrument lacks the necessary sensitivity to identify the spectral feature of water on these asteroids if indeed it was present. The team said further investigation is required to grasp the distribution of water throughout the Solar System comprehensively. But based on the current study, the team intends to leverage the capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope, which is of superior quality optics and has significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio, to dig deeper into this matter. (With inputs from agencies)

For the first time, scientists found traces of water on the surface of an asteroid

<p>Scientists have confirmed that an asteroid that exploded over Germany on January 21 is a rare spacerock type that can help shed light on the origins of Earth. The fragments of the asteroid 2024 BX1 were discovered just five days later and were analysed by a group of scientists&nbsp;who concluded that it belongs to a rare group called aubrites.</p>

<p>Peter Jenniskens, who was part of the team that recovered the fragments, was quoted by Space.com as saying that there had been only 11 known examples of aubrite meteorite falling on Earth in the past. The rare family is believed to represent just 1 per cent of known meteorites.</p>

<h2><strong>What makes aubrite meteorites different?</strong></h2>

<p>The aubrite meteorites stand out due to their unique characteristics. Unlike typical meteorites, they possess a translucent glass crust instead of a thick black one, and they exhibit a grey granite-like appearance, initially causing difficulty in distinguishing them from ordinary Earth rocks.</p>

<p>"The interesting thing about this fall is, we have a very nice orbit of it, and so the shape of the orbit itself contains clues as to where the source region for these meteorites was," Jenniskens said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Russian cosmonaut sets a new record for the most time in space</strong></p>

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<p>"They likely came from the inner side of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. That's a place where probably there is a lot of debris, a collision that created a lot of smaller pieces called an asteroid family," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Why it is significant?</strong></h2>

<p>Jenniskens and colleagues from the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin conducted the first analysis of one of these meteorite fragments using an electron beam microprobe. Their findings revealed that these meteorites share the typical mineralogy and chemical composition of aubrite-type rocks.</p>

<p>Originating from main belt asteroids like 2024 BX1, these meteorites date back approximately 4.5 billion years, coinciding with the formation of the solar system planets. They formed from material surrounding the young sun that remained after the planet formation process.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw11Qw9CK9-KWAvdnTtIE-VH" data-ved="2ahUKEwiA6MK-ppiEAxXa4TgGHWC4CywQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/space-marvel-nasas-incredible-shot-of-moon-earth-in-one-frame-leaves-internet-awestruck-687615" jsname="YKoRaf">Space marvel! NASA`s incredible shot of Moon, Earth in one frame leaves internet awestruck</a></strong></p>

<p>Due to their lack of alteration by geological processes, aubrite meteorites provide scientists with valuable insights into the primordial materials that shaped the inner rocky planets of the solar system, including Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Earth.</p>

<p>Jenniskens also noted that aubrites, like these meteorites, exhibit properties remarkably similar to those of Earth, such as water content and chemical ratios. This similarity offers researchers a unique opportunity to study the materials involved in the formation of our planet billions of years ago.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists have confirmed that an asteroid that exploded over Germany on January 21 is a rare spacerock type that can help shed light on the origins of Earth. The fragments of the asteroid 2024 BX1 were discovered just five days later and were analysed by a group of scientists who concluded that it belongs to a rare group called aubrites.

Scientists have confirmed that an asteroid that exploded over Germany on January 21 is a rare spacerock type that can help shed light on the origins of Earth. The fragments of the asteroid 2024 BX1 were discovered just five days later and were analysed by a group of scientists who concluded that it belongs to a rare group called aubrites. Peter Jenniskens, who was part of the team that recovered the fragments, was quoted by Space.com as saying that there had been only 11 known examples of aubrite meteorite falling on Earth in the past. The rare family is believed to represent just 1 per cent of known meteorites. What makes aubrite meteorites different? The aubrite meteorites stand out due to their unique characteristics. Unlike typical meteorites, they possess a translucent glass crust instead of a thick black one, and they exhibit a grey granite-like appearance, initially causing difficulty in distinguishing them from ordinary Earth rocks. "The interesting thing about this fall is, we have a very nice orbit of it, and so the shape of the orbit itself contains clues as to where the source region for these meteorites was," Jenniskens said. Watch: Russian cosmonaut sets a new record for the most time in space × "They likely came from the inner side of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. That's a place where probably there is a lot of debris, a collision that created a lot of smaller pieces called an asteroid family," he added. Why it is significant? Jenniskens and colleagues from the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin conducted the first analysis of one of these meteorite fragments using an electron beam microprobe. Their findings revealed that these meteorites share the typical mineralogy and chemical composition of aubrite-type rocks. Originating from main belt asteroids like 2024 BX1, these meteorites date back approximately 4.5 billion years, coinciding with the formation of the solar system planets. They formed from material surrounding the young sun that remained after the planet formation process. Also read: Space marvel! NASA`s incredible shot of Moon, Earth in one frame leaves internet awestruck Due to their lack of alteration by geological processes, aubrite meteorites provide scientists with valuable insights into the primordial materials that shaped the inner rocky planets of the solar system, including Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Earth. Jenniskens also noted that aubrites, like these meteorites, exhibit properties remarkably similar to those of Earth, such as water content and chemical ratios. This similarity offers researchers a unique opportunity to study the materials involved in the formation of our planet billions of years ago. (With inputs from agencies)

Asteroid that fell in Germany ‘extremely rare’, as old as solar system: Scientists

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<p>An asteroid about to hit Earth might have exploded over Antarctica more than 2.5 million years ago, said researchers who analysed bits of rocks found in the continent's ice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a report published in&nbsp;<em>Earth and Planetary Science Letters</em>, the asteroid's explosion is the oldest known midair detonation documented in the geologic record. Apart from this, there have been only two ancient recorded airbursts, dating 480,000 and 430,000 years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asteroids or comets that have hit the surface of Earth or other rocky bodies have caused conspicuous craters. However, some objects coming towards Earth have left no crater behind, as they might have disintegrated in midair before reaching the ground. But the evidence of such airbursts is scant.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asteroid explosions can cause massive destruction. Generally, airbursts occur at altitudes ranging from a few to several tens of kilometres. The tremendous kinetic energy of the incoming object transfers into an impact plume, a whirlpool of pressure disturbances and heat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Matthias van Ginneken, a cosmochemist at the University of Kent in England, told Science News, "All the energy is released in the atmosphere in the form of shock waves and thermal radiation."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/aliens-made-the-meteor-that-hit-earth-10-years-ago-scientist-claims-687718">Aliens made the 'meteor' that hit Earth 10 years ago, scientist claims</a></p>

<p>In 2013, a roughly 20-meter asteroid broke up high over Chelyabinsk, Russia. The shockwave reached the ground, shattering thousands of windows. Another catastrophic airburst occurred in Tunguska, Siberia, in 1908. During this, a boulder about thrice as large as the Chelyabinsk body flattened a forest of over 2,000 square kilometres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Matthias and his colleagues analysed 116 tiny bits of rock found within Antarctica's ice, each about the width of a human hair and many spheroidal in shape. The researchers concluded that olivine and spinel are the minerals dominating the rock composition, and they are chemically consistent with ordinary chondrite, a kind of asteroid. They also deduced from the rocks that the midair explosion might've happened 2.3 million to 2.7 million years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The precise ratio of different forms of oxygen found in the rocks confirmed that they were produced in an airburst whose impact plume interacted with ice. Therefore, they reached the surface. "It's like a huge torch touching the ground and vapourising everything," said van Ginneken.</p>

<p>Jason Pearl, a physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California who was not involved in the research, said that sizeable chunks of extraterrestrial material bombard Earth frequently. He said these types of events occur roughly every 50 to 500 years. "It's totally believable that events would have occurred in that period," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the team is researching more airbursts in the geologic record. "I'm convinced there are more examples," said van Ginneken.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An asteroid about to hit Earth might have exploded over Antarctica more than 2.5 million years ago, said researchers who analysed bits of rocks found in the continent's ice.

An asteroid about to hit Earth might have exploded over Antarctica more than 2.5 million years ago, said researchers who analysed bits of rocks found in the continent's ice. According to a report published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, the asteroid's explosion is the oldest known midair detonation documented in the geologic record. Apart from this, there have been only two ancient recorded airbursts, dating 480,000 and 430,000 years ago. Asteroids or comets that have hit the surface of Earth or other rocky bodies have caused conspicuous craters. However, some objects coming towards Earth have left no crater behind, as they might have disintegrated in midair before reaching the ground. But the evidence of such airbursts is scant. Asteroid explosions can cause massive destruction. Generally, airbursts occur at altitudes ranging from a few to several tens of kilometres. The tremendous kinetic energy of the incoming object transfers into an impact plume, a whirlpool of pressure disturbances and heat. Matthias van Ginneken, a cosmochemist at the University of Kent in England, told Science News, "All the energy is released in the atmosphere in the form of shock waves and thermal radiation." ALSO READ | Aliens made the 'meteor' that hit Earth 10 years ago, scientist claims In 2013, a roughly 20-meter asteroid broke up high over Chelyabinsk, Russia. The shockwave reached the ground, shattering thousands of windows. Another catastrophic airburst occurred in Tunguska, Siberia, in 1908. During this, a boulder about thrice as large as the Chelyabinsk body flattened a forest of over 2,000 square kilometres. Matthias and his colleagues analysed 116 tiny bits of rock found within Antarctica's ice, each about the width of a human hair and many spheroidal in shape. The researchers concluded that olivine and spinel are the minerals dominating the rock composition, and they are chemically consistent with ordinary chondrite, a kind of asteroid. They also deduced from the rocks that the midair explosion might've happened 2.3 million to 2.7 million years ago. The precise ratio of different forms of oxygen found in the rocks confirmed that they were produced in an airburst whose impact plume interacted with ice. Therefore, they reached the surface. "It's like a huge torch touching the ground and vapourising everything," said van Ginneken. Jason Pearl, a physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California who was not involved in the research, said that sizeable chunks of extraterrestrial material bombard Earth frequently. He said these types of events occur roughly every 50 to 500 years. "It's totally believable that events would have occurred in that period," he added. However, the team is researching more airbursts in the geologic record. "I'm convinced there are more examples," said van Ginneken. (With inputs from agencies)

An asteroid exploded over Antarctica 2.5 million years ago, rocky evidence suggests

<p>A potential ‘hazardous’ asteroid six times wider than the height of Delhi’s Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in the world, is expected to pass our home planet on Friday (Feb 2). The asteroid, named 2008 OS7 is believed to be between 690 and 1,570 feet in width, and as wide as the Empire State building in New York.</p>

<p>The asteroid will pass Earth at a distance of around 1.77 million miles. To put things into perspective, our planetary neighbour Venus fares around 38 million miles away from Earth at the closest point. Also, the Moon revolves around 240,000 miles away from Earth.</p>

<p>While moving by the Earth, the asteroid will cruise at the speed of 18.2km per second and will make its closest flyby in the afternoon of February 2.</p>

<h2><strong>What are Near Earth Objects (NEO) and potentially hazardous asteroids (PHA)?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Asteroids, remnants of the solar system's formation, are majorly found in the Asteroid Belt situated between Mars and Jupiter. While many are small, some, like Ceres, boast significant size, stretching approximately 600 miles across. Periodically, either through Jupiter's gravitational pull or collisions, these celestial bodies stray into the inner solar system, hurtling past Earth.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Earth braces for a close encounter with five colossal asteroids this week</strong></p>

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<p>One such asteroid, 2008 OS7, falls under the classification of both a "Near Earth Object" (NEO) and a "potentially hazardous asteroid" (PHA) due to its size and proximity to Earth. NEOs are those within 30 million miles of Earth, encompassing around 31,000 objects within the solar system. PHAs, however, lie even closer, within 4.6 million miles, and exceed 460 feet in diameter. NASA currently monitors approximately 2,350 PHAs.</p>

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<p>"A potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) is one that has an orbit intersecting the Earth's orbit around the Sun by less than 0.05 astronomical units (1 AU is the distance to the Sun), that's just over 4.5 million miles. It also has to have an absolute brightness of 22.0 or less (lower values of the magnitude are brighter = larger objects), ie. an asteroid (or comet) that would cause significant regional damage if it hit the Earth," Martin Barstow, a professor of astrophysics and space science at the University of Leicester in the UK, was quoted as saying by Newsweek.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Not all NEOs are potentially hazardous, but all hazardous objects are NEOs," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A potential ‘hazardous’ asteroid six times wider than the height of Delhi’s Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in the world, is expected to pass our home planet on Friday (Feb 2).

A potential ‘hazardous’ asteroid six times wider than the height of Delhi’s Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in the world, is expected to pass our home planet on Friday (Feb 2). The asteroid, named 2008 OS7 is believed to be between 690 and 1,570 feet in width, and as wide as the Empire State building in New York. The asteroid will pass Earth at a distance of around 1.77 million miles. To put things into perspective, our planetary neighbour Venus fares around 38 million miles away from Earth at the closest point. Also, the Moon revolves around 240,000 miles away from Earth. While moving by the Earth, the asteroid will cruise at the speed of 18.2km per second and will make its closest flyby in the afternoon of February 2. What are Near Earth Objects (NEO) and potentially hazardous asteroids (PHA)? Asteroids, remnants of the solar system's formation, are majorly found in the Asteroid Belt situated between Mars and Jupiter. While many are small, some, like Ceres, boast significant size, stretching approximately 600 miles across. Periodically, either through Jupiter's gravitational pull or collisions, these celestial bodies stray into the inner solar system, hurtling past Earth. Watch: Earth braces for a close encounter with five colossal asteroids this week × One such asteroid, 2008 OS7, falls under the classification of both a "Near Earth Object" (NEO) and a "potentially hazardous asteroid" (PHA) due to its size and proximity to Earth. NEOs are those within 30 million miles of Earth, encompassing around 31,000 objects within the solar system. PHAs, however, lie even closer, within 4.6 million miles, and exceed 460 feet in diameter. NASA currently monitors approximately 2,350 PHAs. Also read: Scientists say `organic matter` in distant asteroid may be hiding `origins of life` "A potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) is one that has an orbit intersecting the Earth's orbit around the Sun by less than 0.05 astronomical units (1 AU is the distance to the Sun), that's just over 4.5 million miles. It also has to have an absolute brightness of 22.0 or less (lower values of the magnitude are brighter = larger objects), ie. an asteroid (or comet) that would cause significant regional damage if it hit the Earth," Martin Barstow, a professor of astrophysics and space science at the University of Leicester in the UK, was quoted as saying by Newsweek. "Not all NEOs are potentially hazardous, but all hazardous objects are NEOs," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Hazardous asteroid’ 6 times wider than Qutub Minar’s height to fly past Earth on Feb 2

<p>The "cometary organic matter" was discovered by the scientists while they were studying samples from Ryugu, which is a near-Earth asteroid that&nbsp;was visited by Japan's Hayabusa 2 spacecraft in 2018.</p>

<p>In December 2020, the mission returned samples to the Earth which gave scientists some potentially invaluable insights into how life originated on Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to some researchers, life may have been seeded into Earth by ancient asteroid impacts.</p>

<p>The team of researchers, who have been studying the samples, concluded that the surfaces of the sample may contain organic molecules, which further supports that provocative theory.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/celestial-parade-earth-braces-for-close-encounters-with-five-colossal-asteroids-this-week-684758">Celestial parade: Earth braces for close encounters with five colossal asteroids this week</a></p>

<p>Speaking about the research in a statement, Tohoku University Graduate School of Science assistant professor and coauthor Megumi Matsumoto said, "We propose that the carbonaceous materials formed from cometary organic matter via the evaporation of volatiles, such as nitrogen and oxygen, during the impact-induced heating."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This suggests that cometary matter was transported to the near-Earth region from the outer solar system. This organic matter might be the small seeds of life once delivered from space to Earth," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Materials within 'melt splashes' resemble 'primitive organic matter'</strong></h2>

<p>As per the research which was published in the journal Science Advances, the team of Matsumoto found five to 20-micrometre-wide "melt splashes" in the Ryugu asteroid samples, which they claimed were formed when cometary dust rained down on the atmosphere-less space rock.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers said that within these splashes, they found "carbonaceous materials" which resembled "primitive organic matter."</p>

<p>"The chemical compositions of the melt splashes suggest that Ryugu's hydrous silicates mixed with cometary dust," said Matsumoto.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;NASA finally unlocks a canister containing precious dust samples from the asteroid Bennu</strong></p>

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<p>The scientists at NASA &nbsp;have been carrying out the investigation of asteroid Bennu samples which have been collected by its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft.</p>

<p>The space agency, in an October announcement, said that it had discovered the "building blocks of life on Earth" in preliminary samples which were collected from outside of the sample collection instrument of the spacecraft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers, however, still need to carry out the study, till they are able to conclude that life on Earth came into existence thanks to organic matter from space.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The "cometary organic matter" was discovered by the scientists while they were studying samples from Ryugu, which is a near-Earth asteroid that was visited by Japan's Hayabusa 2 spacecraft in 2018.

The "cometary organic matter" was discovered by the scientists while they were studying samples from Ryugu, which is a near-Earth asteroid that was visited by Japan's Hayabusa 2 spacecraft in 2018. In December 2020, the mission returned samples to the Earth which gave scientists some potentially invaluable insights into how life originated on Earth. According to some researchers, life may have been seeded into Earth by ancient asteroid impacts. The team of researchers, who have been studying the samples, concluded that the surfaces of the sample may contain organic molecules, which further supports that provocative theory. Also read: Celestial parade: Earth braces for close encounters with five colossal asteroids this week Speaking about the research in a statement, Tohoku University Graduate School of Science assistant professor and coauthor Megumi Matsumoto said, "We propose that the carbonaceous materials formed from cometary organic matter via the evaporation of volatiles, such as nitrogen and oxygen, during the impact-induced heating." "This suggests that cometary matter was transported to the near-Earth region from the outer solar system. This organic matter might be the small seeds of life once delivered from space to Earth," he added. Materials within 'melt splashes' resemble 'primitive organic matter' As per the research which was published in the journal Science Advances, the team of Matsumoto found five to 20-micrometre-wide "melt splashes" in the Ryugu asteroid samples, which they claimed were formed when cometary dust rained down on the atmosphere-less space rock. The researchers said that within these splashes, they found "carbonaceous materials" which resembled "primitive organic matter." "The chemical compositions of the melt splashes suggest that Ryugu's hydrous silicates mixed with cometary dust," said Matsumoto. Watch: NASA finally unlocks a canister containing precious dust samples from the asteroid Bennu The scientists at NASA have been carrying out the investigation of asteroid Bennu samples which have been collected by its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. The space agency, in an October announcement, said that it had discovered the "building blocks of life on Earth" in preliminary samples which were collected from outside of the sample collection instrument of the spacecraft. The researchers, however, still need to carry out the study, till they are able to conclude that life on Earth came into existence thanks to organic matter from space. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists say 'organic matter' in distant asteroid may be hiding 'origins of life'

NASA has finally unlocked the asteroid canister. The canister contains precious dust samples from the asteroid Bennu. The canister landed in the Utah desert in September 2023.

NASA finally unlocks a canister containing precious dust samples from the asteroid Bennu

This rare celestial spectacle could not be missedAs Earth is encountering five colossal asteroids. One of the asteroids is as big as a Fifa-accredited football stadium.

Earth braces for a close encounter with five colossal asteroids this week

<p>A small asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere Sunday morning and lit up the sky over eastern Germany. Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, depicting a glowing object descending over Europe. Experts later confirmed that the light came from a disintegrating meteorite.</p>

<p>According to astronomers and observers, the 2024 BX1 asteroid, which was temporarily designated as Sar2736, landed outside Berlin near Nennhausen at around 1:30 am local time. Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky was the first one to discover the approaching asteroid several hours before its impact, according to The International Astronomical Union.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prague's view of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sar2736?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sar2736</a>: a minor planet entering Earth's atmosphere on Jan 21, 2024, at 00:32 UT. <a href="https://t.co/KXDnBvzmGX">pic.twitter.com/KXDnBvzmGX</a></p>
— Hanjie Tan (@HonkitTan) <a href="https://twitter.com/HonkitTan/status/1748881538945531997?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another *incredible* shot of the small asteroid burning up above Germany just moments ago—wow. <a href="https://t.co/OGl0GuWGe6">pic.twitter.com/OGl0GuWGe6</a></p>
— Dr Robin George Andrews 🌋☄️ (@SquigglyVolcano) <a href="https://twitter.com/SquigglyVolcano/status/1748874761722077214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>NASA also confirmed the incident at least 20 minutes before its impact. “Heads Up: A tiny asteroid will disintegrate as a harmless fireball west of Berlin near Nennhausen shortly at 1:32am CET. Overseers will see it if it’s clear!,” the space agency wrote.</p>

<p>The incident marked the eighth time that an asteroid was discovered before hitting the Earth and the third time that Krisztián Sárneczky discovered it. Sárneczky is a well-known ‘asteroid hunter,’ having discovered minor planets and other space objects headed toward our planet, including two asteroids that respectively fell over France in 2023 and the Arctic Ocean in 2022.</p>

<h2><strong>How large was the asteroid?</strong></h2>

<p>The asteroid measured approximately 1 metre from end to end, according to Denis Vida, a PhD associate specialising in meteor physics at Western University in Canada. Vida is also the brain behind the Global Meteor Project, a mission to enhance meteor observation globally through a cooperative network of cameras directed towards space.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here's the full video of the asteroid <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sar2736?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sar2736</a>, a ~1 m object that broke up some 50 m west of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Belin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Belin</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Germany?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Germany</a>, and probably dropped some meteorites on the ground. Video credit: <a href="https://t.co/72o6ZzPNz8">https://t.co/72o6ZzPNz8</a> <a href="https://t.co/PA73dkqid1">pic.twitter.com/PA73dkqid1</a></p>
— Denis Vida (@meteordoc) <a href="https://twitter.com/meteordoc/status/1748868373033746881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Denis Vida shared an impressive video clip of the descending asteroid, originally recorded by a livestream camera positioned in the German city of Leipzig. The footage was posted on X. In his accompanying remarks, Vida speculated that the asteroid might have released meteorites upon reaching the Earth's atmosphere and breaking apart. In further clarification provided to CBS News via email, Vida noted that the asteroid began to disintegrate at a location approximately 50 kilometres (about 30 miles) west of Berlin.</p>

<h2><strong>Asteroid named by minor planet centre</strong></h2>

<p>Initially dubbed Sar2736, the asteroid underwent an official naming process by the International Astronomical Union's minor planet centre.</p>

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<p>The designation given to it became 2024 BX1, as reported by EarthSky. Notably, the minor planet centre, supported by a grant from NASA's near-earth object observation program, plays a crucial role in collecting comprehensive data on comets and the "outer irregular natural satellites of major planets."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A small asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere Sunday morning and lit up the sky over eastern Germany. Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, depicting a glowing object descending over Europe.

A small asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere Sunday morning and lit up the sky over eastern Germany. Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, depicting a glowing object descending over Europe. Experts later confirmed that the light came from a disintegrating meteorite. According to astronomers and observers, the 2024 BX1 asteroid, which was temporarily designated as Sar2736, landed outside Berlin near Nennhausen at around 1:30 am local time. Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky was the first one to discover the approaching asteroid several hours before its impact, according to The International Astronomical Union. Prague's view of #Sar2736: a minor planet entering Earth's atmosphere on Jan 21, 2024, at 00:32 UT. pic.twitter.com/KXDnBvzmGX — Hanjie Tan (@HonkitTan) January 21, 2024 × Another *incredible* shot of the small asteroid burning up above Germany just moments ago—wow. pic.twitter.com/OGl0GuWGe6 — Dr Robin George Andrews 🌋☄️ (@SquigglyVolcano) January 21, 2024 × NASA also confirmed the incident at least 20 minutes before its impact. “Heads Up: A tiny asteroid will disintegrate as a harmless fireball west of Berlin near Nennhausen shortly at 1:32am CET. Overseers will see it if it’s clear!,” the space agency wrote. The incident marked the eighth time that an asteroid was discovered before hitting the Earth and the third time that Krisztián Sárneczky discovered it. Sárneczky is a well-known ‘asteroid hunter,’ having discovered minor planets and other space objects headed toward our planet, including two asteroids that respectively fell over France in 2023 and the Arctic Ocean in 2022. How large was the asteroid? The asteroid measured approximately 1 metre from end to end, according to Denis Vida, a PhD associate specialising in meteor physics at Western University in Canada. Vida is also the brain behind the Global Meteor Project, a mission to enhance meteor observation globally through a cooperative network of cameras directed towards space. Here's the full video of the asteroid #Sar2736, a ~1 m object that broke up some 50 m west of #Belin, #Germany, and probably dropped some meteorites on the ground. Video credit: https://t.co/72o6ZzPNz8 pic.twitter.com/PA73dkqid1 — Denis Vida (@meteordoc) January 21, 2024 × Denis Vida shared an impressive video clip of the descending asteroid, originally recorded by a livestream camera positioned in the German city of Leipzig. The footage was posted on X. In his accompanying remarks, Vida speculated that the asteroid might have released meteorites upon reaching the Earth's atmosphere and breaking apart. In further clarification provided to CBS News via email, Vida noted that the asteroid began to disintegrate at a location approximately 50 kilometres (about 30 miles) west of Berlin. Asteroid named by minor planet centre Initially dubbed Sar2736, the asteroid underwent an official naming process by the International Astronomical Union's minor planet centre. Also read: Elon Musk`s Starlink nears approval for space broadband services in India The designation given to it became 2024 BX1, as reported by EarthSky. Notably, the minor planet centre, supported by a grant from NASA's near-earth object observation program, plays a crucial role in collecting comprehensive data on comets and the "outer irregular natural satellites of major planets." (With inputs from agencies)

Asteroid crashes into Earth over Germany just hours after being discovered

<p>The curation team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston has successfully removed the two fasteners that had impeded access to the remaining sample material collected from OSIRIS-REx's asteroid Bennu. The curation team&nbsp;collected 2.48 ounces (70.3 grams) of asteroid material, surpassing NASA's goal of bringing at least 60 grams to Earth.</p>

<p>Eileen Stansbery, division chief for ARES (Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science)&nbsp;at Johnson, appreciated the dedication of the team, stating, “Our engineers and scientists have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for months to not only process the more than 70 grams of material we were able to access previously but also design, develop, and test new tools that allowed us to move past this hurdle.”</p>

<p>The disassembly of the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) head is now underway, revealing rocks and dust delivered by NASA’s first asteroid sample return mission.</p>

<p>“The innovation and dedication of this team has been remarkable. We are all excited to see the remaining treasure OSIRIS-REx holds,"&nbsp;Stansbery added.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/worlds-oldest-forest-found-in-us-first-ever-investigation-reveals-ages-of-ancient-plants-trees-679667">World’s oldest forest found in US: First-ever investigation reveals ages of ancient plants, trees</a></p>

<p>Following additional disassembly steps, image specialists will capture ultra-high-resolution pictures of the bulk sample still inside the TAGSAM head. This portion will then be removed, weighed, and the total mass of Bennu material captured by the mission will be determined.</p>

<h2>Roadblock faced by the team</h2>

<p>The curation team faced a challenge in mid-October when two fasteners could not be removed with the approved tools inside the OSIRIS-REx glovebox.</p>

<p>Following this challenge, new multi-part tools were designed. This one featured custom-fabricated bits made from surgical, non-magnetic stainless steel.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-fermi-telescope-spots-new-gamma-ray-beyond-milky-way-which-could-help-solve-cosmic-mystery-679638">NASA’s Fermi telescope spots new gamma-ray beyond Milky Way, which could help solve cosmic mystery</a></p>

<p>Dr. Nicole Lunning, OSIRIS-REx curator at Johnson, highlighted the design challenge, stating, “In addition to the design challenge of being limited to curation-approved materials to protect the scientific value of the asteroid sample, these new tools also needed to function within the tightly-confined space of the glovebox.”</p>

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<p>However, it was not that simple. Before even starting the successful removal, the team rigorously tested the tools and removal procedures in a rehearsal lab, which demonstrated success in achieving the required torque while minimising the risk of damage to the TAGSAM head. It also reduced the risk of contamination of the sample.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The curation team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston has successfully removed the two fasteners that had impeded access to the remaining sample material collected from OSIRIS-REx's asteroid Bennu.

The curation team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston has successfully removed the two fasteners that had impeded access to the remaining sample material collected from OSIRIS-REx's asteroid Bennu. The curation team collected 2.48 ounces (70.3 grams) of asteroid material, surpassing NASA's goal of bringing at least 60 grams to Earth. Eileen Stansbery, division chief for ARES (Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science) at Johnson, appreciated the dedication of the team, stating, “Our engineers and scientists have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for months to not only process the more than 70 grams of material we were able to access previously but also design, develop, and test new tools that allowed us to move past this hurdle.” The disassembly of the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) head is now underway, revealing rocks and dust delivered by NASA’s first asteroid sample return mission. “The innovation and dedication of this team has been remarkable. We are all excited to see the remaining treasure OSIRIS-REx holds," Stansbery added. Also Read | World’s oldest forest found in US: First-ever investigation reveals ages of ancient plants, trees Following additional disassembly steps, image specialists will capture ultra-high-resolution pictures of the bulk sample still inside the TAGSAM head. This portion will then be removed, weighed, and the total mass of Bennu material captured by the mission will be determined. Roadblock faced by the team The curation team faced a challenge in mid-October when two fasteners could not be removed with the approved tools inside the OSIRIS-REx glovebox. Following this challenge, new multi-part tools were designed. This one featured custom-fabricated bits made from surgical, non-magnetic stainless steel. Also Read | NASA’s Fermi telescope spots new gamma-ray beyond Milky Way, which could help solve cosmic mystery Dr. Nicole Lunning, OSIRIS-REx curator at Johnson, highlighted the design challenge, stating, “In addition to the design challenge of being limited to curation-approved materials to protect the scientific value of the asteroid sample, these new tools also needed to function within the tightly-confined space of the glovebox.” Watch | NASA unveils X-59 plane to test supersonic flight over US cities × However, it was not that simple. Before even starting the successful removal, the team rigorously tested the tools and removal procedures in a rehearsal lab, which demonstrated success in achieving the required torque while minimising the risk of damage to the TAGSAM head. It also reduced the risk of contamination of the sample. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA finally unlocks the container with samples from asteroid Bennu

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuiduQV2JdBtHKzk" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>NASA ha put an end to concerns about a lost 54-million-tonne asteroid hitting Earth in 2024.</p>

<p>In response to a November report by a news outlet stating that 2007 FT3, the asteroid, had a slight possibility of striking Earth in 2024, the space agency has issued a statement saying that there are no known asteroid crash dangers to Earth at any time in the century.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2007, scientists first spotted the 984-foot-long asteroid. However, eventually, they lost track of it and categorised it as a "lost asteroid."</p>

<p>According to the report by the news outlet, the chances of the asteroid slamming into Earth were around 1 in 10 million on 3 March 2030 and 1 in 11.5 million on 5 October 2024.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA told The Standard, "There are no known asteroid impact threats to Earth at any time in the next century. NASA and its partners diligently watch the skies to find, track, and categorise asteroids and near-Earth objects (NEOs), including those who come close to Earth."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sharks-fin-regenerates-less-than-a-year-after-it-was-torn-by-humans-in-shocking-first-677489">In shocking first, shark’s fin regenerates less than a year after being ‘torn by humans’</a></p>

<p>Before scientists lost track of the 2007 FT3, they were able to gather information about the asteroid. They observed 14 points in its arc over the two days it remained in NASA's view. The researchers have also calculated its orbit and looked into its possible collisions with Earth.</p>

<p>The asteroid has made it to NASA's Sentry Risk Table of objects that could impact our planet. NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies has also identified 89 potential impacts that 2007 FT3 can have on Earth, one of which is on 5 October 2024.</p>

<p>However, the space agency clarified that it was nothing to worry about, as one potential point of impact when the asteroid was closest to the Earth had already passed in 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"An important note here is planetary scientists define asteroid approaches that come within 30 million miles of Earth's orbit as close approaches. The larger an asteroid is, the easier it is for our planetary defence experts to find, meaning that their orbits around the sun are usually very well-known and understood for years or even decades," NASA said.</p>

<p>NASA and other space agencies keep watching the near-Earth objects that could cause devastation if they cross paths with Earth.</p>

<p>Astronomers can predict the orbits of these space bodies up to about a hundred years in the future.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA ha put an end to concerns about a lost 54-million-tonne asteroid hitting Earth in 2024. In response to a November report by a news outlet stating that 2007 FT3, the asteroid, had a slight possibility of striking Earth in 2024, the space agency has issued a statement saying that there are no known asteroid crash dangers to Earth at any time in the century.

NASA ha put an end to concerns about a lost 54-million-tonne asteroid hitting Earth in 2024. In response to a November report by a news outlet stating that 2007 FT3, the asteroid, had a slight possibility of striking Earth in 2024, the space agency has issued a statement saying that there are no known asteroid crash dangers to Earth at any time in the century. In 2007, scientists first spotted the 984-foot-long asteroid. However, eventually, they lost track of it and categorised it as a "lost asteroid." According to the report by the news outlet, the chances of the asteroid slamming into Earth were around 1 in 10 million on 3 March 2030 and 1 in 11.5 million on 5 October 2024. NASA told The Standard, "There are no known asteroid impact threats to Earth at any time in the next century. NASA and its partners diligently watch the skies to find, track, and categorise asteroids and near-Earth objects (NEOs), including those who come close to Earth." ALSO READ | In shocking first, shark’s fin regenerates less than a year after being ‘torn by humans’ Before scientists lost track of the 2007 FT3, they were able to gather information about the asteroid. They observed 14 points in its arc over the two days it remained in NASA's view. The researchers have also calculated its orbit and looked into its possible collisions with Earth. The asteroid has made it to NASA's Sentry Risk Table of objects that could impact our planet. NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies has also identified 89 potential impacts that 2007 FT3 can have on Earth, one of which is on 5 October 2024. However, the space agency clarified that it was nothing to worry about, as one potential point of impact when the asteroid was closest to the Earth had already passed in 2019. "An important note here is planetary scientists define asteroid approaches that come within 30 million miles of Earth's orbit as close approaches. The larger an asteroid is, the easier it is for our planetary defence experts to find, meaning that their orbits around the sun are usually very well-known and understood for years or even decades," NASA said. NASA and other space agencies keep watching the near-Earth objects that could cause devastation if they cross paths with Earth. Astronomers can predict the orbits of these space bodies up to about a hundred years in the future. (With inputs from agencies)

Will a lost asteroid hit Earth this year? This is what NASA has to say

<p>NASA relaunched a mission to study&nbsp;the “God of Chaos” asteroid as it started coming closer to the orbit of Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A spacecraft, which had recently returned from deep space, was returned by NASA to carry out three studies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA’s spacecraft OSIRIS-REx - which has been named the OSIRIS-APEX - was sent off to study the extremely close flyby of asteroid Apophis&nbsp;in 2029, the like&nbsp;of which “hasn’t happened since the dawn of recorded history,” announced NASA.</p>

<p>The spacecraft came back to Earth in September after it collected samples from space rock Bennu for seven years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Apophis, also called the “God of Chaos”, is likely to fly close to Earth on April 13, 2029, and will be only 20,000 miles away, which is closer in comparison to a few manmade satellites and will be visible in the Eastern Hemisphere.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-says-an-asteroid-has-come-near-earth-check-details-673517">NASA says an asteroid has come near Earth, check details</a></p>

<p>The space rock, which measures nearly 370 yards across, approaches the Earth every 7,500 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The gravity of Earth will affect the space rock as it comes close to the orbit and OSIRIS-APEX will understand the aftermath to see “how its surface changes,” as per Amy Simon, the mission’s project scientist.</p>

<h2><strong>Earth to alter length of day on asteroid</strong></h2>

<p>The Earth’s effects are likely to change the length of the asteroid's day, which at present is around 30.6 hours per day. It can also lead to landslides and quakes on the "God of Chaos".</p>

<p>"We know that tidal forces and the accumulation of rubble pile material are foundational processes that could play a role in planet formation,” said Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina, principal investigator for OSIRIS-APEX at the University of Arizona in Tucson, in a statement.</p>

<p>"They could inform how we got from debris in the early solar system to full-blown planets," DellaGiustina added. On April 13, 2029, the spacecraft will meet the S-type asteroid, but will not land on its surface, and will “operate in proximity” to it for the next 18 months.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;WION Rewind India's moments of glory: India creates Lunar history with Chandrayaan-3</strong></p>

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<p>NASA said that the spacecraft would not only look to observe the surface changes but would also map the surface and analyse the chemical makeup of the rock.</p>

<p>The spacecraft will also go within 16 feet of the surface of the rock so that its thrusters can be fired downwards to see what has stirred it up and provide scientists with a “peek at the material that lies below.”</p>

<p>Even though the rock is still five years away from coming close to the Earth, scientists will keep tracking it as it reaches its first of six close passes with the sun.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA relaunched a mission to study the “God of Chaos” asteroid as it started coming closer to the orbit of Earth. A spacecraft, which had recently returned from deep space, was returned by NASA to carry out three studies.

NASA relaunched a mission to study the “God of Chaos” asteroid as it started coming closer to the orbit of Earth. A spacecraft, which had recently returned from deep space, was returned by NASA to carry out three studies. NASA’s spacecraft OSIRIS-REx - which has been named the OSIRIS-APEX - was sent off to study the extremely close flyby of asteroid Apophis in 2029, the like of which “hasn’t happened since the dawn of recorded history,” announced NASA. The spacecraft came back to Earth in September after it collected samples from space rock Bennu for seven years. Apophis, also called the “God of Chaos”, is likely to fly close to Earth on April 13, 2029, and will be only 20,000 miles away, which is closer in comparison to a few manmade satellites and will be visible in the Eastern Hemisphere. Also read: NASA says an asteroid has come near Earth, check details The space rock, which measures nearly 370 yards across, approaches the Earth every 7,500 years. The gravity of Earth will affect the space rock as it comes close to the orbit and OSIRIS-APEX will understand the aftermath to see “how its surface changes,” as per Amy Simon, the mission’s project scientist. Earth to alter length of day on asteroid The Earth’s effects are likely to change the length of the asteroid's day, which at present is around 30.6 hours per day. It can also lead to landslides and quakes on the "God of Chaos". "We know that tidal forces and the accumulation of rubble pile material are foundational processes that could play a role in planet formation,” said Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina, principal investigator for OSIRIS-APEX at the University of Arizona in Tucson, in a statement. "They could inform how we got from debris in the early solar system to full-blown planets," DellaGiustina added. On April 13, 2029, the spacecraft will meet the S-type asteroid, but will not land on its surface, and will “operate in proximity” to it for the next 18 months. Watch: WION Rewind India's moments of glory: India creates Lunar history with Chandrayaan-3 NASA said that the spacecraft would not only look to observe the surface changes but would also map the surface and analyse the chemical makeup of the rock. The spacecraft will also go within 16 feet of the surface of the rock so that its thrusters can be fired downwards to see what has stirred it up and provide scientists with a “peek at the material that lies below.” Even though the rock is still five years away from coming close to the Earth, scientists will keep tracking it as it reaches its first of six close passes with the sun. (With inputs from agencies)

Asteroid Apophis to flyby Earth in first of its kind encounter in recorded history

<p>If asteroids made a whooshing sound every time one passed by our home planet, we'll have a highway-like&nbsp;scene in our immediate space neighbourhood. Asteroids are passing through inner solar system all the time, at least, more frequently than we can casually imagine. We can of course, be more than happy for the asteroids to whoosh past Earth and not slam directly into it. This is why space agencies across the world, NASA and more, have their lenses trained at asteroids in the Earth's vicinity.</p>

<p>So the latest one under the scanner is Asteroid 2020 KT4. This asteroid belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. These are Near-Earth Asteroids. The asteroid has come in Earth's vicinity right in the holiday season. It is hurtling through space at a huge speed of 25,000 kilometres per hour. This makes it faster than even Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM).</p>

<p><strong>Watch | NASA to take international astronauts to Lunar Space</strong></p>

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<p>NASA says that this is not the first time Asteroid 2020 KT4 has come near Earth. It first said hello on October 4, 1906. At that time, it made a fly-by at a distance of about 72 million kilometres from Earth. After his travel past Earth in the Christmas season, it will again come close to Earth on July 8, 2024.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/how-safe-is-nuking-earh-bound-asteroid-scientists-create-simulation-to-answer-672511">How safe is nuking earth-bound asteroid? Scientists create simulation to answer</a></strong></p>

<p>The asteroid is the size of a big aircraft, it is about 250 feet wide.</p>

<h2><strong>Is there danger to us?</strong></h2>

<p>The asteroid has not been classified as Potentially Hazardous Object. It does not pose a threat to Earth.</p>

<p>We may normally dismiss asteroids as mere space rocks but they may have performed greater function. Scientists think that ingredients required for life on Earth were actually 'delivered' to Earth by asteroids and even comets.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-hubble-telescope-captures-mysterious-spokes-on-rings-of-saturn-672959">NASA's Hubble telescope captures mysterious spokes on rings of Saturn</a></strong></p>

<p>But the mode of 'delivery' of anything via asteroids may have involved direct collissions. Considering this, its probably good for us that such a delivery service has stopped, at least till now.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


If asteroids made a whooshing sound every time one passed by our home planet, we'll have a highway-like scene in our immediate space neighbourhood. Asteroids are passing through inner solar system all the time, at least, more frequently than we can casually imagine.

If asteroids made a whooshing sound every time one passed by our home planet, we'll have a highway-like scene in our immediate space neighbourhood. Asteroids are passing through inner solar system all the time, at least, more frequently than we can casually imagine. We can of course, be more than happy for the asteroids to whoosh past Earth and not slam directly into it. This is why space agencies across the world, NASA and more, have their lenses trained at asteroids in the Earth's vicinity. So the latest one under the scanner is Asteroid 2020 KT4. This asteroid belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. These are Near-Earth Asteroids. The asteroid has come in Earth's vicinity right in the holiday season. It is hurtling through space at a huge speed of 25,000 kilometres per hour. This makes it faster than even Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM). Watch | NASA to take international astronauts to Lunar Space × NASA says that this is not the first time Asteroid 2020 KT4 has come near Earth. It first said hello on October 4, 1906. At that time, it made a fly-by at a distance of about 72 million kilometres from Earth. After his travel past Earth in the Christmas season, it will again come close to Earth on July 8, 2024. Also Read | How safe is nuking earth-bound asteroid? Scientists create simulation to answer The asteroid is the size of a big aircraft, it is about 250 feet wide. Is there danger to us? The asteroid has not been classified as Potentially Hazardous Object. It does not pose a threat to Earth. We may normally dismiss asteroids as mere space rocks but they may have performed greater function. Scientists think that ingredients required for life on Earth were actually 'delivered' to Earth by asteroids and even comets. Also Read | NASA's Hubble telescope captures mysterious spokes on rings of Saturn But the mode of 'delivery' of anything via asteroids may have involved direct collissions. Considering this, its probably good for us that such a delivery service has stopped, at least till now. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA says an asteroid has come near Earth, check details

<p>Asteroid strikes can spell an end for thriving life on a planet. Just ask dinosaurs. Oh yeah, they are not here anymore. But based on what we've learnt from their broken, mangled sometimes charred remains obtained from their deep geologic graveyards, we know for sure that a space rock travelling at a speed of thousands of kilometres per second cannot exactly bring good tidings when it is resolved to hit Earth head on. Scientists and governments have been expending considerable energy to create a fool-proof solution to guard humanity in case another asteroid poses an existential threat to us.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nuking the asteroid to pieces is an option. But it may make things worse as smaller pieces of the asteroid may still hit Earth. So the problem does require more looking into.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | NASA streams an ultra-high-definition video of a cat back to Earth from deep space</strong></p>

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<p>Experts at Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) now have made a simuation that tells us what may happen if an asteroid is nuked. Is it really a bad idea?</p>

<h2><strong>The 'nuclear ablation'</strong></h2>

<p>The explosive technique these scientists have considered is called nuclear ablation. This technique involves vaporisation of some of asteroid's surface using radiation from the nuclear blast. This would in turn create an explosive thrust and change the velocity of the asteroid.</p>

<p>The model is called X-ray energy deposition model.</p>

<p>The researchers have written a paper on this which has been published in The Planetary Science Journal.</p>

<p>To make the simulation model, the researchers considered a wide range of conditions that took into account different types of asteroids humanity has been able to study closely. Some of the asteroids considered for the simulation were solid rocks to rubble piles. The wide range of data considered to make the simulation expansive.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/arctic-skies-lit-up-by-extremely-rare-rainbow-clouds-whats-the-phenomenon-672505">Arctic skies lit up by extremely rare rainbow clouds. What's the phenomenon?</a></strong></p>

<p>"If we have enough warning time, we could potentially launch a nuclear device, sending it millions of miles away to an asteroid that is headed toward Earth," said researcher Mary Burkey as quoted in a press release from LLNL.</p>

<p>"We would then detonate the device and either deflect the asteroid, keeping it intact but providing a controlled push away from Earth, or we could disrupt the asteroid, breaking it up into small, fast-moving fragments that would also miss the planet."</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/its-holiday-season-in-space-too-eso-captured-a-running-chicken-like-nebula-in-a-15-billion-pixel-image-672397">It's holiday season in space too! See the beautiful running-chicken-like nebula</a></strong></p>

<p>NASA has already carried out the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission in which a kinetic impacter was crashed on an asteroid to study how such an approach would alter the trajectory.</p>

<p>The new model created by LLNL's scientists is likely to give other scientists from around the world to better understand and build upon the knowledge already gathered about deflecting or destroying a dangerous asteroid.</p>

<p>"While the probability of a large asteroid impact during our lifetime is low, the potential consequences could be devastating," said Megan Bruck Syal, LLNL's planetary defense project lead.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Asteroid strikes can spell an end for thriving life on a planet. Just ask dinosaurs. Oh yeah, they are not here anymore. But based on what we've learnt from their broken, mangled sometimes charred remains obtained from their deep geologic graveyards, we know for sure that a space rock travelling at a speed of thousands of kilometres per second cannot exactly bring good tidings when it is resolved to hit Earth head on.

Asteroid strikes can spell an end for thriving life on a planet. Just ask dinosaurs. Oh yeah, they are not here anymore. But based on what we've learnt from their broken, mangled sometimes charred remains obtained from their deep geologic graveyards, we know for sure that a space rock travelling at a speed of thousands of kilometres per second cannot exactly bring good tidings when it is resolved to hit Earth head on. Scientists and governments have been expending considerable energy to create a fool-proof solution to guard humanity in case another asteroid poses an existential threat to us. Nuking the asteroid to pieces is an option. But it may make things worse as smaller pieces of the asteroid may still hit Earth. So the problem does require more looking into. Watch | NASA streams an ultra-high-definition video of a cat back to Earth from deep space × Experts at Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) now have made a simuation that tells us what may happen if an asteroid is nuked. Is it really a bad idea? The 'nuclear ablation' The explosive technique these scientists have considered is called nuclear ablation. This technique involves vaporisation of some of asteroid's surface using radiation from the nuclear blast. This would in turn create an explosive thrust and change the velocity of the asteroid. The model is called X-ray energy deposition model. The researchers have written a paper on this which has been published in The Planetary Science Journal. To make the simulation model, the researchers considered a wide range of conditions that took into account different types of asteroids humanity has been able to study closely. Some of the asteroids considered for the simulation were solid rocks to rubble piles. The wide range of data considered to make the simulation expansive. Also Read | Arctic skies lit up by extremely rare rainbow clouds. What's the phenomenon? "If we have enough warning time, we could potentially launch a nuclear device, sending it millions of miles away to an asteroid that is headed toward Earth," said researcher Mary Burkey as quoted in a press release from LLNL. "We would then detonate the device and either deflect the asteroid, keeping it intact but providing a controlled push away from Earth, or we could disrupt the asteroid, breaking it up into small, fast-moving fragments that would also miss the planet." Also Read | It's holiday season in space too! See the beautiful running-chicken-like nebula NASA has already carried out the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission in which a kinetic impacter was crashed on an asteroid to study how such an approach would alter the trajectory. The new model created by LLNL's scientists is likely to give other scientists from around the world to better understand and build upon the knowledge already gathered about deflecting or destroying a dangerous asteroid. "While the probability of a large asteroid impact during our lifetime is low, the potential consequences could be devastating," said Megan Bruck Syal, LLNL's planetary defense project lead. (With inputs from agencies)

How safe is nuking earth-bound asteroid? Scientists create simulation to answer

<p>Japan's Jaxaspace agency is preparing to conduct groundbreaking tests using its Hayabusa2 spacecraft to showcase its ability to intercept and redirect fast-moving asteroids on a potential collision course with Earth.</p>

<p>Launched in 2014, Hayabusa2 made history with its dual touchdowns on the asteroid 1999 JU3, also known as Ryugu, situated an impressive 300 million km away from Earth in 2018.</p>

<h2><strong>In-depth analysis of Ryugu</strong></h2>

<p>Hayabusa2 spent approximately 18 months meticulously studying Ryugu, employing innovative techniques such as firing pellets onto the asteroid's surface and collecting samples ejected from its depths.</p>

<p>The collected samples were securely transported to Earth in a capsule, landing in the Australian Outback in 2020. Scientists continue their rigorous examination of these samples to unravel the asteroid's composition mysteries. Currently, the spacecraft is on an extended mission, scheduled until 2026, with its destination being the asteroid 2001 CC21, positioned over 12 million km away from Earth.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/christmas-constellation-nasa-hubble-telescope-clicks-galaxy-that-appears-in-festive-mood-672132">Also read |&nbsp;Christmas constellation? NASA's Hubble Telescope clicks galaxy that appears in festive mood</a></p>

<p>Jaxa's future plans for Hayabusa2 involve two significant flyby missions. In 2026, the spacecraft is set to rendezvous with the asteroid 2001 CC21, with both entities hurtling towards each other at an astounding speed of 5 km/s (18,000 km/h).</p>

<p>Following this, in 2031, Hayabusa2 is slated for a close encounter with the small, rapidly spinning asteroid 1998 KY26, whose size is comparable to that of a small school bus and whose orbit intersects with Earth's.</p>

<p>Jaxa acknowledges the distinctive challenges posed by asteroids like 1998 KY26, characterized by their "small and fast" attributes. The rapid rotation of such asteroids creates a unique physical environment near the surface, where centrifugal force surpasses gravitational pull. Jaxa aims to study this phenomenon as asteroids of this size collide with Earth every 100 to 1,000 years, potentially causing significant damage.</p>

<p>The upcoming flyby missions present a considerable challenge as Hayabusa2, initially designed for asteroid rendezvous, must now adapt to observing asteroids at high relative speeds from a distance.</p>

<p>Jaxa sees these missions as an opportunity to showcase technology akin to what would be required to collide a spacecraft into an asteroid, potentially altering its orbit. This technological feat aligns with Jaxa's broader objective of contributing to planetary defense efforts against potential asteroid threats.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;NASA streams an ultra-high-definition video of a cat back to Earth from deep space</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-streams-an-ultra-high-definition-video-of-a-cat-back-to-earth-from-deep-space-671832/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Building on NASA's success with the Dart mission, which demonstrated the kinetic impact method's potential to alter an asteroid's trajectory, Jaxa's upcoming tests add a new layer to the ongoing planetary defense experiments. In addition to kinetic impact, scientists worldwide are exploring alternative methods, including the deployment of nuclear devices on asteroids, to divert them away from potential collision courses with Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Japan's Jaxaspace agency is preparing to conduct groundbreaking tests using its Hayabusa2 spacecraft to showcase its ability to intercept and redirect fast-moving asteroids on a potential collision course with Earth.

Japan's Jaxaspace agency is preparing to conduct groundbreaking tests using its Hayabusa2 spacecraft to showcase its ability to intercept and redirect fast-moving asteroids on a potential collision course with Earth. Launched in 2014, Hayabusa2 made history with its dual touchdowns on the asteroid 1999 JU3, also known as Ryugu, situated an impressive 300 million km away from Earth in 2018. In-depth analysis of Ryugu Hayabusa2 spent approximately 18 months meticulously studying Ryugu, employing innovative techniques such as firing pellets onto the asteroid's surface and collecting samples ejected from its depths. The collected samples were securely transported to Earth in a capsule, landing in the Australian Outback in 2020. Scientists continue their rigorous examination of these samples to unravel the asteroid's composition mysteries. Currently, the spacecraft is on an extended mission, scheduled until 2026, with its destination being the asteroid 2001 CC21, positioned over 12 million km away from Earth. Also read | Christmas constellation? NASA's Hubble Telescope clicks galaxy that appears in festive mood Jaxa's future plans for Hayabusa2 involve two significant flyby missions. In 2026, the spacecraft is set to rendezvous with the asteroid 2001 CC21, with both entities hurtling towards each other at an astounding speed of 5 km/s (18,000 km/h). Following this, in 2031, Hayabusa2 is slated for a close encounter with the small, rapidly spinning asteroid 1998 KY26, whose size is comparable to that of a small school bus and whose orbit intersects with Earth's. Jaxa acknowledges the distinctive challenges posed by asteroids like 1998 KY26, characterized by their "small and fast" attributes. The rapid rotation of such asteroids creates a unique physical environment near the surface, where centrifugal force surpasses gravitational pull. Jaxa aims to study this phenomenon as asteroids of this size collide with Earth every 100 to 1,000 years, potentially causing significant damage. The upcoming flyby missions present a considerable challenge as Hayabusa2, initially designed for asteroid rendezvous, must now adapt to observing asteroids at high relative speeds from a distance. Jaxa sees these missions as an opportunity to showcase technology akin to what would be required to collide a spacecraft into an asteroid, potentially altering its orbit. This technological feat aligns with Jaxa's broader objective of contributing to planetary defense efforts against potential asteroid threats. Also watch | NASA streams an ultra-high-definition video of a cat back to Earth from deep space Building on NASA's success with the Dart mission, which demonstrated the kinetic impact method's potential to alter an asteroid's trajectory, Jaxa's upcoming tests add a new layer to the ongoing planetary defense experiments. In addition to kinetic impact, scientists worldwide are exploring alternative methods, including the deployment of nuclear devices on asteroids, to divert them away from potential collision courses with Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan's Jaxaspace agency tests spacecraft to deflect potential earth-colliding asteroid

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