asteroid belt

4+ articles

Asteroids DART mission Jupiter NASA asteroid belt

Ceres: A Distant Past of Habitability?

NASA's new research sheds light on Ceres, a dwarf planet that might have been habitable billions of years ago. Evidence from the Dawn mission suggests that Ceres once had a subsurface ocean and chemical energy, potentially supporting microbial life. While Ceres is too cold today to harbor life, these findings expand our understanding of habitability in the solar system.

Aug 25

NASA's Lucy Seizes a Galactic Glimpse with a Close Encounter

NASA's Lucy spacecraft is set for its second asteroid encounter as it zooms toward asteroid Donaldjohanson in the main asteroid belt. This cosmic rendezvous will allow scientists to gather invaluable data, paving the way for its future mission to the mysterious Trojan asteroids near Jupiter in 2027.

Apr 18

NASA's Lucy Seizes a Galactic Glimpse with a Close Encounter

NASA's Dark Comet Discovery Shakes Up Solar System Views

In a stunning revelation, NASA has announced the discovery of seven new dark comets within our solar system, doubling the known population. These stealthy celestial bodies, originating mostly from the asteroid belt, lack the visible tails typical of comets but indicate ice sublimation. This significant find could deepen our understanding of solar system dynamics and possibly explain the early delivery of water and organic materials to Earth, crucial for life's development. As discussions about their potential threat to Earth surface, this discovery paves the way for future space exploration and defense strategies.

Jan 4

NASA's Dark Comet Discovery Shakes Up Solar System Views

NASA Successfully Tracks Two Large Asteroids Speeding Past Earth

Early January 2025 saw not one, but two asteroids safely zip past Earth. NASA reports that Asteroids 2024 YC9 and 2024 YL1, harmlessly made their closest approach, sparking excitement and curiosity across the globe. Learn what these stony space bodies are all about and why their smooth flyby is a planetary nod to NASA’s vigilant watch!

Jan 3

NASA Successfully Tracks Two Large Asteroids Speeding Past Earth