Get your telescope ready for Saturday night.

Asteroid flying by Earth is so big it has its own moon

Double Trouble

Saturday night, a mile-wide asteroid called 1999 KW4 will fly by the Earth, and when it does, it'll bring with it its very own moon.

Asteroid Flying by Earth Is so Big It Has Its Own Moon

"It's one of the closest binary flybys probably in recent history."

Scientists say asteroid impacts could be the source of as much as half of the water in Earth's oceans.

A Japanese probe just found water on an asteroid

Finding Waterworld

Asteroid samples gathered by the Japanese space probe Hayabusa contain water-rich minerals, suggesting that asteroid impacts could bring water to planets.

A Japanese Probe Just Found Water on an Asteroid

The finding supports the idea that asteroids delivered water to Earth.

"By observing Apophis during its 2029 flyby, we will gain important scientific knowledge that could one day be used for planetary defense."

When this asteroid zips by Earth, scientists may hitch a ride

Waving Hello

In 2029, the asteroid 99942 Apophis will fly past Earth close enough to look like a shooting star. NASA is planning ahead to learn as much as possible.

When This Asteroid Zips by Earth, Scientists May Hitch a Ride

In 2029, Apophis will sail closer to Earth than some orbital satellites.

The crater it made in Ryugu is three times wider than expected.

New image shows aftermath of Japan’s asteroid bomb

Crater Nation

Japan's asteroid bomb created a crater much larger than expected, leading scientists to wonder if there's something they don't know about the asteroid.

New Image Shows Aftermath of Japan’s Asteroid Bomb

It turns out, the projectile packed more of a punch than anticipated.

The craft will return to the scene of the bombing on April 25.

Japan releases video of its spacecraft bombing an asteroid

Bombs Away

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has released a video of the asteroid bombing mission recently undertaken by its Hayabusa2 spacecraft.

Japan Releases Video of Its Spacecraft Bombing an Asteroid

See the projectile's launch from Hayabusa2's perspective.

The asteroid Psyche may be the metallic core of a since-destroyed planet that once resembled Mars.

NASA is gearing up to visit a shattered, volcanic asteroid

Space Is Extremely Metal

NASA approved the preliminary designs of a spacecraft expected to visit the asteroid Psyche in 2022. When it gets there, NASA won't know what to expect.

NASA Is Gearing up to Visit a Shattered, Volcanic Asteroid

NASA is getting ready to visit a leftover fragment from the core of a destroyed planet.

Add another project to the list of collaborations between NASA and SpaceX.

NASA asks SpaceX to help it save Earth from incoming asteroids

DART Ahead

SpaceX will provide launch services for NASA's DART mission, which is designed to test a plan for preventing an asteroid from hitting Earth.

NASA Asks SpaceX to Help It Save Earth From Incoming Asteroids

Elon Musk's space company will provide launch services for DART.

We need to prevent an asteroid-caused Armageddon, says Asgardia's leader.

The "space nation" warns that an asteroid could wipe out humanity

Asteroid Armageddon 

The leader of Asgardia warns that world leaders must do more to prepare for a potentially life-threatening asteroid impact.

The “Space Nation” Warns That an Asteroid Could Wipe out Humanity

"Future life-threatening impacts are inevitable unless defences [defenses] are built."

NASA shocked by "plumes erupting from an asteroid’s surface"

Particle Plume

NASA just announced that one of its spacecrafts has made a surprise discovery: "particle plumes erupting" from the surface of a large asteroid called Bennu.

NASA Shocked by “Plumes Erupting From an Asteroid’s Surface”

"The discovery of plumes is one of the biggest surprises of my scientific career."

"For the artistry score, please evaluate, everyone!"

New video shows Japanese probe shooting asteroid with bullet

Off World

JAXA releases a video of its Hayabusa2 spacecraft successfully landing on tiny asteroid Ryugu and shooting it with a bullet.

/Asteroid