Asteroids

Articles and guides about asteroids.

Kieron Vernon, Coventry, UK, 11 July 2020. Equipment: Sony a7III camera, Sigma 24-70mm lens, ISO 800, 20x6”.

Observing guide What comets and asteroids are in the sky tonight?

The Celestial Police were a group of 18th century astronomers who discovered asteroid Vesta.

Discovering asteroid Vesta: the story of the Celestial Police

Artist’s impression of OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collecting a sample from asteroid Bennu. Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona

OSIRIS REx: NASA’s mission to return an asteroid sample to Earth

Vesta begins March east of the star Chertan (Theta θ Leonis) and tracks northwest, reaching its brightest at opposition on 4 March in the constellation of Leo, the Lion. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine

See asteroid Vesta at opposition in the night sky

An artist's impression showing OSIRIS-REx performing a gravity assist around Earth on its way to asteroid Bennu. Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona

Radio Astronomy Podcast OSIRIS-Rex and the asteroid belt

Artist's impression of an asteroid belt. Credit: Maciej Frolow / Getty Images

Asteroid Belt: what is it and how did it form?

29 Amphitrite reaches opposition on 22 February 2021. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide See asteroid 29 Amphitrite in the night sky

Asteroid 14 Irene in January 2021. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Asteroid 14 Irene: see the main-belt body at opposition

OSIRIS Rex approaches asteroid Bennu

OSIRIS REx touches down on asteroid Bennu

Hera orbiting Didymos

Hera: Europe’s asteroid mission to defend Earth

Podcast icon: Hera hovering over impact crater

Radio Astronomy Podcast Deflecting asteroids with Hera and DART

The path of 7 Iris as it passes through Sagittarius. Credit: Pete Lawrence

See asteroid 7 Iris in Sagittarius this month

A mosaic of asteroid Bennu, as seen by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. Credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona.

Eye On The Sky OSIRIS-REx captures epic mosaic of asteroid Bennu

Was Itokawa formed by a sub-catastrophic collision? Credit: JAXA

How do binary asteroids form?

An asteroid passing by Earth (artist's impression). Credit: ESA/P.Carril

Asteroid Day, 30 June 2019: all you need to know