Asteroids

This page is no longer in use. You should be redirected to our current "Asteroids" page in a few moments, or you can click here to go there now.


Last modified November 28, 2007 by Randy Russell.

Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!

Our online store includes issues of NESTA's quarterly journal, The Earth Scientist, full of classroom activities on different topics in Earth and space science, as well as books on science education!

Windows to the Universe Community

News

Opportunities

You might also be interested in:

Science, Evolution, and Creationism

How did life evolve on Earth? The answer to this question can help us understand our past and prepare for our future. Although evolution provides credible and reliable answers, polls show that many people turn away from science, seeking other explanations with which they are more comfortable....more

New planetoid named Sedna discovered

Astronomers have found a new object in our Solar System. The new object is named Sedna. Astronomers are calling Sedna a "planetoid". A planetoid is smaller than a planet but bigger than asteroids or comets....more

Asteroid Toutatis Passes Near Earth

A big asteroid flew by Earth. Don't worry though - it isn't going to hit us! The asteroid is named Toutatis. It didn't get too close to Earth. The closest Toutatis came to Earth was 1.5 million kilometers...more

Pluto demoted - no longer a Planet!

Pluto has been officially demoted from its status as a planet. The International Astronomical Union (IAU), at a meeting in August 2006, voted on their first "official" definition of a planet....more

Meteors

Meteors are streaks of light, usually lasting just a few seconds, which people occasionally see in the night sky. They are sometimes called "shooting stars" or "falling stars", though they are not stars...more

Geminid Meteor Shower

Meteor showers are times when you can see a lot of meteors in one night. There are several different meteor showers. Each meteor shower happens at the same time every year. There is a meteor shower in...more

Quadrantid Meteor Shower

Meteor showers are times when you can see a lot of meteors in one night. There are several different meteor showers. Each meteor shower happens at the same time every year. There is a meteor shower in...more

Asteroid Toutatis

Toutatis is the name of a strange asteroid. This asteroid has a strange shape. It also spins in a funny way. Toutatis is shaped like a potato. It is about 5 km (3 miles) long. It is about half as wide...more

Shop Windows to the Universe

Mica is available in our online store, along with other minerals and fossils, books, activities, jewelry, and household items.

Generous sponsorship of Windows to the Universe is provided by the Hewlett Foundation, the American Geological Institute, the American Geophysical Union, the National Science Foundation, NASA, NCAR, and the CISM and CMMAP projects. NASA CMMAP AGU CISM NCAR Hewlett AGI NSF