An updated look at the interior structure of Vesta. It may not have completely differentiated, leading to a more homogenous interior below its crust. #BetterKnowAnAsteroid
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02533-7

First images from Lucy's encounter with Donaldjohanson are in, and they're definitely worth a look! #BetterKnowAnAsteroid
https://science.nasa.gov/image-article/nasas-lucy-spacecraft-images-asteroid-donaldjohanson/

We're about 15 minutes from Lucy's closest approach to Donaldjohanson! #BetterKnowAnAsteroid
https://www.whereislucy.space/

We're some 37 hours from Lucy's encounter with the asteroid Donaldjohanson. Get ready to #BetterKnowAnAsteroid!
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/lucy/2025/04/18/nasas-lucy-days-away-from-asteroid-encounter/

Less than one week until Lucy's next #BetterKnowAnAsteroid flyby!
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/lucy/nasas-lucy-spacecraft-prepares-second-asteroid-encounter/

The biggest space telescope took a break from looking at giant galaxies & zeroed in on its smallest target yet: 2024 YR4, the asteroid that will *not* hit Earth in 2032 (but might possibly strike the Moon).

Now we know that 2024 YR4 is a dark, 60-meter (200 foot), fast-spinning, dust-free rock.

https://webbtelescope.org/contents/early-highlights/nasas-webb-finds-asteroid-2024-yr4-is-building-sized #space #science #astronomy #nature

If you want to learn a little more about the astronomers keeping an eye out for dangerous space rocks, NASA has a documentary for you. #BetterKnowAnAsteroid https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasas-planetary-defenders-documentary-premieres-april-16/

New insights on the shadow and origin of #2024YR4 from NOIRLab #BetterKnowAnAsteroid
https://noirlab.edu/public/news/noirlab2514/?lang

Our building-sized non-Earth-impactor #2024YR4 still has a 3.8% chance of hitting the Moon #BetterKnowAnAsteroid
https://webbtelescope.org/contents/early-highlights/nasas-webb-finds-asteroid-2024-yr4-is-building-sized

NASA blog post: https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/planetary-defense/2025/04/02/nasa-update-on-the-size-estimate-and-lunar-impact-probability-of-asteroid-2024-yr4/

Lucy's next target may be a relatively young asteroid, providing an important glimpse at the ongoing evolution of our solar system. #BetterKnowAnAsteroid
https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/goddard/new-modeling-assesses-age-of-next-target-asteroid-for-nasas-lucy/

Good news, everyone! #BetterKnowAnAsteroid
https://blogs.nasa.gov/planetarydefense/2025/02/19/dark-skies-bring-new-observations-of-asteroid-2024-yr4-lower-impact-probability/

This video for ESA explains why I am not worried yet about 2024 YR4 (even though the probability has gone up to slightly about 3% chance of Earth impact), but we definitely need to keep getting observations to refine our understanding of its orbit now and when it comes back close to the Earth in 2028 https://youtu.be/3_6Ff_2eBAk?feature=shared #2024yr4

Paper is available here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adq5399?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D32772992818074475672211842148214323126%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1738765182

A 500-m asteroid like Bennu could pack quite a punch, according to a new analysis of possible climatic and ecological outcomes. #BetterKnowAnAsteroid
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/05/science/bennu-earth-impact-scenario/index.html

And here's some coverage from the AP, touting importance of these findings for Artemis landings: https://apnews.com/article/moon-grand-canyons-nasa-astronauts-landing-31981ecbc04a2eb383f619582e830e9c?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

New analysis reconstructs the asteroid impact that formed the Schrödinger impact basin on the Moon. #BetterKnowAnAsteroid
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-55675-z

Full press release from NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-asteroid-bennu-sample-reveals-mix-of-lifes-ingredients/
#BetterKnowAnAsteroid

Mmmm... "Bennu tea" #BetterKnowAnAsteroid
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14772/#media_group_377205

Press conference about the ongoing analysis of the Bennu sample from #OSIRISREx is starting now. #BetterKnowAnAsteroid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLmJYgUHTD8&ab_channel=NASAVideo