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Wide Angle: Asteroids!

Let's face it, asteroids are everywhere. There's probably millions of them floating around the solar system and we know of hundreds of thousands that wander across Earth's orbit. It's a fact that we will get hit by a civilization-ending asteroid at some point in the future, but when? The discovery of a small space rock called 2010 AL30 two days before it buzzed past Earth served as a reminder that space is certainly not empty, but it also proved that we are getting better at spotting these interplanetary interlopers.

2010 AL30: Incoming Asteroid

A space rock was detected two days before it made a close approach to Earth. Although we were never in danger, this provided a useful dry run should a larger object be detected coming right at us.

'Asteroid' 2010 AL30 Might be a Rocket

Due to "asteroid" 2010 AL30's strange orbit, astronomers entertained the idea that it might actually be a spent upper stage rocket from the ESA Venus Express mission.

Earth Dodges An Interplanetary Bullet

Phew! That was close! Asteroid 2010 AL30 whizzed past the Earth, but even if it had hit us, it wouldn't have caused us any harm. That's not the case for all space rocks. How big do they have to be to cause serious damage?

Did Two Asteroids Just Collide?

Astronomers are trying to work out what a newly discovered object in the asteroid belt is. At first, P/2010 A2 looked like a comet, but it has asteroid qualities. Now it's thought that it could be the first hyper-velocity asteroid impact ever observed.

Earth Causes Asteroids to Shake, Rattle and Roll

Earthlings casting a wary eye for rogue asteroids may be comforted to learn that our planet is not a sitting duck.

Diamond Asteroid Chiseled by Sunlight

This diamond in the sky could help scientists to deflect future asteroids on a collision course with Earth.

Asteroids and Near-Earth Objects

Browse through 10 of our favorite ominous objects that astronomers have plucked from the foreboding skies.

The Threat from Apophis Downgraded

The risk of the civilization-ending asteroid Apophis hitting Earth in 2036 has been downgraded, but by how much? Are we safe now?

The Art of Asteroid Deflection

There's an organization out there who have a better plan than trying to blow up dangerous asteroids with nukes. All they need is plenty of lead time and a bit of funding to insure the safety of the planet.