Solar System - Small bodies of Solar System Topics
Voyage to the Giant Asteroids
2007 — April 6, 2011
This summer, NASA will launch a robotic probe to visit two stange and giant asteroids--one is covered with ice while the other may have been blasted by an ancient supernova. The tales these Asteroidstell may reveal the true beginnings of our solar system.
Asteroid Threatens to Hit Mars
2007 — April 6, 2011
NASA-funded astronomers are monitoring a Tunguska-sized asteroid that will pass within 30,000 miles of Mars on Jan. 30, 2008. Based on data currently available, the space rock has a 1-in-75 chance of actually hitting Mars and blasting a crater more than half-a-mile wide.
Blasting a Hole in a Comet: Take 2
2007 — April 6, 2011
Two years ago, NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft blasted a hole in Comet Tempel 1, offering researchers their first look inside a comet. One small problem: The cloud of debris was so thick no one could clearly see the crater. But now the dust has cleared and another NASA spacecraft is returning to the scene to examine the hole Deep Impact wrought.
Voyage to the Giant Asteroids--Liftoff!
2007 — April 6, 2011
NASA's Dawn spacecraft has left Earth on a mission to explore the giant AsteroidsCeres and Vesta. Today's Science@NASA story explains the scientific reasons for making the trip.
Hitchhiker's Guide to an Asteroid
2002 — April 6, 2011
Learning what near-Earth Asteroidsare made of and how they're put together is simply prudent. NASA's NEAR spacecraft got a closer look at one when it landed on 433 Eros in 2001.
Caveat Impactor
2002 — April 6, 2011
An asteroid with almost no chance of hitting Earth made big headlines this week. Are we really in danger?
Halloween Asteroid
2002 — April 6, 2011
Near-Earth asteroid 1997 XF11, which briefly scared astronomers five years ago, passes by Earth again this week on Halloween.
Deep Impact
2005 — April 6, 2011
On the 4th of July, a NASA spacecraft will blast a hole in Comet Tempel 1.
Friday the 13th, 2029
2005 — April 6, 2011
Asteroid 2004 MN4 will come scarily close to Earth on April 13, 2029, but it will not hit.
Hubble Sees Suspected Asteroid Collision
2010 — April 6, 2011
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has observed a mysterious X-shaped debris pattern and trailing streamers of dust that suggest a head-on collision between two asteroids.