Two space rocks in our solar system's outer asteroid belt might contain mineral evidence for a new class of asteroids or long eroded mini-worlds. The asteroids, (7472) Kumakiri and (10537) 1991 RY16, were found to contain basalt, a grey-black mineral that forms much of the crust on Earth and the other inner planets. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Three rocks hurtling through space appear to be among our solar system's oldest objects. The ancient asteroids seem to have formed some 4.55 billion years ago, making them older than the oldest meteorites ever found on Earth. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

There are hundreds of thousands of asteroids circling our sun, all so-called "minor planets" left over from the formation of the solar system. Much about them remains mysterious. Solving these mysteries could shed light on the past, present and future of cosmic impacts on Earth. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Most asteroids with moonlets started off as solitary bodies that split in two while sunbathing, new computer simulations suggest. picked by deEPCHIll 1 year ago

Enter the designation or name of any asteroid or comet, and a 3D orbit visualization tool will appear for that object. You can also select from the list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids provided. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

If they can find a sober pilot! Seriously though, they are exploring the use of asteroids as way stations for a Mars mission and other stuff as well. picked by Moe 2 years ago

The US spacecraft Dawn, due to launch on Sunday, will take a close look at two massive asteroids to try to penetrate the mystery of our solar system's origins 4.6 billion years ago. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Colossal impacts in the outer reaches of the solar system may have bowled over remote, frozen moons, leading to vast cracks across their surfaces. The many impact craters that have pocked our moon and Earth reveal our solar system can be like a shooting gallery, with asteroids and comets regularly striking planets and their companions. These monumental blows can literally set moons rocking. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Smash planets together, introduce rogue stars, and build new worlds from spinning discs of debris. Fire a moon into a planet or destroy everything you've created with a super massive black hole. You can simulate and interact with: Our solar system: the 8 planets,160+ moons, and hundereds of asteroids. Nearest 1000 stars to our SunOur local group of galaxies. An unlimited number of fictional sce... read full post picked by bernardblack 1 year ago

In troubled economic times, it's often hard to convince the government to fund space science. Heck, at least fruit flies live on our planet. But there's one field of research that the public should be happy to support: keeping the Earth from being pummeled by asteroids. And there is no shortage of ideas for how to do this. picked by xdvx 8 months ago

The infamous Tunguska explosion, which mysteriously leveled an area of Siberian forest nearly the size of Tokyo a century ago, might have been caused by an impacting asteroid far smaller than previously thought. The fact that a relatively small asteroid could still cause such a massive explosion suggests "we should be making more efforts at detecting the smaller ones than we have till now.&qu... read full post picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

The planet Jupiter is thought to act as a “cosmic vacuum cleaner,” sucking up comets and asteroids that could potentially hit the Earth and endanger all life on our planet. But new research has more closely examined Jupiter's ability to protect the inner solar system, and there are some suprising findings. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

The odds of encountering a tsunami kicked up by an asteroid strike have just plummeted. Best to hope, though, that you're not underneath the almighty splash such an impact could create. picked by bingo 7 months ago

Kind of like Asteroids with better graphics. picked by mango-fox 1 year ago

"Flight International reports that scientists at the Marshall Space Flight Center have developed designs for an array of asteroid interceptors wielding 1.2-megaton B83 nuclear warheads. picked by Bornbad 2 years ago

The ultimate time waster is back online. This time with support for more than 18 people online! picked by QRious 2 years ago

By sticking microbes to the outside of the International Space Station, Japanese researchers aim to test the "panspermia" theory that comets and asteroids can spread life between planets.

The Japanese experiment is called Tanpopo, Japanese for "dandelion", after the plant's fluffy seeds, which travel long distances on the wind. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

I'll admit it wasn't tough to beat, but it was still a lot of fun--especially if you liked the game Asteroids. That whole site is loaded with some good games. picked by Fizz71 2 years ago