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19 results for "planetary defense"

New Telescope Finds 11,000 Asteroids in Just Days
InnovationApr 5

New Telescope Finds 11,000 Asteroids in Just Days

The Rubin Observatory discovered more than 11,000 previously unknown asteroids during early test runs, offering a preview of how it will revolutionize our understanding of the solar system. What used to take years to find now happens in days.

Google News - Science3 min read
New Observatory Finds 11,000 Asteroids in Early Test Run
InnovationApr 5

New Observatory Finds 11,000 Asteroids in Early Test Run

A powerful new telescope has discovered 11,000 previously unknown asteroids in just its first test observations, revealing what scientists say will revolutionize our understanding of the solar system. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory accomplished in days what used to take years, offering a glimpse of discoveries to come.

Space.com3 min read
Scientists Ready to Pulverize Asteroids Using Existing Tech
InnovationApr 1

Scientists Ready to Pulverize Asteroids Using Existing Tech

A team at UC Santa Barbara has designed a system to blast dangerous asteroids into harmless bits using rockets and technology we already have. Unlike asteroid deflection methods, this "Pulverize It" program could work even with short warning times.

Scientific American3 min read
UN Woman Leads Earth's First Real Asteroid Alert System
Community HeroesMar 30

UN Woman Leads Earth's First Real Asteroid Alert System

When a building-sized asteroid set Earth in its crosshairs last year, one British lawyer had to alert every government on the planet. Aarti Holla-Maini successfully activated the UN's planetary defense system for the first time ever.

Google News - Science2 min read
Europe's Hera Probe On Track for Asteroid History in 2026
InnovationMar 25

Europe's Hera Probe On Track for Asteroid History in 2026

A spacecraft just completed a supersonic speed boost in deep space, setting itself up to visit the asteroid that humanity deliberately smashed two years ago. The mission will help turn planetary defense from a one-time experiment into a repeatable safety system.

Space.com3 min read
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Planet WinsMar 19

China Targets 2027 Launch for Asteroid Defense Mission

China is preparing to launch its first planetary defense mission in December 2027, aiming a spacecraft at asteroid 2016 WP8 to test humanity's ability to protect Earth from space threats. The mission marks another nation joining the effort to keep our planet safe from asteroids.

SpaceNews3 min read
Blue Origin Teams Up With NASA to Defend Earth From Asteroids
InnovationMar 18

Blue Origin Teams Up With NASA to Defend Earth From Asteroids

Blue Origin is partnering with NASA to protect Earth from dangerous asteroids using ion beams and high-speed impacts. The NEO Hunter mission will scan, deflect, and divert space rocks before they can threaten our planet.

Space.com2 min read
Asteroids Throw 'Cosmic Snowballs' at Each Other, NASA Finds
InnovationMar 12

Asteroids Throw 'Cosmic Snowballs' at Each Other, NASA Finds

NASA's asteroid defense mission captured the first proof that space rocks gently toss debris at each other like cosmic snowballs, reshaping surfaces over millions of years. The discovery came from images taken seconds before the spacecraft deliberately crashed into an asteroid in 2022.

Space.com2 min read
Moon Safe as Webb Telescope Tracks 'Dangerous' Asteroid
Global NewsMar 11

Moon Safe as Webb Telescope Tracks 'Dangerous' Asteroid

A 100-meter asteroid once labeled the "most dangerous in decades" will safely pass the moon in 2032, scientists confirm using the James Webb Space Telescope. The advanced tracking eliminated fears of a lunar collision that could have disrupted satellites.

Google News - Science2 min read
NASA Spacecraft Nudged Asteroid and Changed Solar Orbit
InnovationMar 10

NASA Spacecraft Nudged Asteroid and Changed Solar Orbit

NASA's DART mission successfully knocked an asteroid off its path around the sun, proving we could defend Earth from a space rock threat. Amateur astronomers traveled the globe to confirm this planetary defense milestone.

Space.com2 min read
NASA Deflects Asteroid, Proves Earth Can Be Protected
InnovationMar 10

NASA Deflects Asteroid, Proves Earth Can Be Protected

Humanity just passed its first planetary defense test. NASA deliberately crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid in 2022, and new data confirms we successfully changed how two space rocks orbit the sun.

Google News - Science2 min read
NASA Spacecraft Moved an Asteroid's Path Around the Sun
InnovationMar 7

NASA Spacecraft Moved an Asteroid's Path Around the Sun

For the first time in human history, we've measurably changed how a space rock orbits the Sun. NASA's 2022 asteroid impact proved we can defend Earth from cosmic threats.

Google News - Science3 min read
NASA Crash Nudged Entire Asteroid System Off Course
InnovationMar 7

NASA Crash Nudged Entire Asteroid System Off Course

When NASA deliberately smashed a spacecraft into an asteroid in 2022, scientists hoped to prove we could defend Earth from space rocks. New data reveals the impact did something even better: it shifted the entire asteroid system's path around the Sun.

Ars Technica Science3 min read
Webb Telescope Saves Moon From 2032 Asteroid Strike
InnovationMar 6

Webb Telescope Saves Moon From 2032 Asteroid Strike

The James Webb Space Telescope just pulled off an incredible feat, tracking down a "lost" asteroid and proving it won't hit the moon in 2032 after all. Scientists thought the space rock had disappeared for three years, but international teams worked together to find it and confirm we're safe. #

Google: James Webb telescope3 min read
NASA Rules Out 2032 Asteroid Hit Using Webb Telescope
Planet WinsMar 6

NASA Rules Out 2032 Asteroid Hit Using Webb Telescope

That asteroid scientists were watching? New data from the James Webb Space Telescope just confirmed it will safely miss the Moon in 2032. What looked like a small chance of impact turned into a clear all-clear thanks to unprecedented observations.

Google: James Webb telescope2 min read
NASA Confirms Asteroid 2024 YR4 Won't Hit Moon in 2032
Planet WinsMar 6

NASA Confirms Asteroid 2024 YR4 Won't Hit Moon in 2032

The asteroid once called the most dangerous discovery in 20 years is no longer a threat to Earth or the moon. Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have completely ruled out any chance of impact.

Google: NASA discovery2 min read
James Webb Telescope Confirms Asteroid Will Miss Moon in 2032
Planet WinsMar 6

James Webb Telescope Confirms Asteroid Will Miss Moon in 2032

The most dangerous asteroid ever discovered won't hit Earth or the moon after all, thanks to NASA's powerful James Webb Space Telescope tracking it 280 million miles away. Scientists now have proof that asteroid 2024 YR4 will safely pass by both worlds in December 2032.

Scientific American3 min read
Europe's Apophis Mission Gets $177M Green Light for 2028
VideosFeb 20

Europe's Apophis Mission Gets $177M Green Light for 2028

A space rock the size of five football fields will zip past Earth in 2029, closer than some satellites. Europe just approved a mission to meet it first and watch what happens when a massive asteroid gets up close and personal with our planet.

Sky & Telescope2 min read
Nonprofit B612 Foundation Shields Earth From Asteroids
SolutionsFeb 12

Nonprofit B612 Foundation Shields Earth From Asteroids

A Silicon Valley nonprofit is working to protect our planet from dangerous asteroid impacts through research, education, and global cooperation. Since 2002, the B612 Foundation has been advancing asteroid detection and deflection strategies while teaching the world about these cosmic threats.

Space.com3 min read