Asteroid

• Scientists analyzing ancient fungal spores suggest that Earth's ecosystems were already under severe stress before the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs. • This environmental decline aligns with a cooling period caused by massive volcanic eruptions in western India, which created the Deccan Traps. • These eruptions released vast quantities of lava, ash, and gases, altering global climate patterns and weakening biodiversity.

• Scientists using the Rubin Observatory identified over 11,000 new asteroids in our solar system. • Discoveries include hundreds of distant objects beyond Neptune, expanding knowledge of outer solar system. • This US-based telescope project enhances planetary defense and solar system mapping efforts.

• Preliminary data from the Simonyi Survey Telescope at NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory revealed over 11,000 new asteroids, including hundreds beyond Neptune and 33 near-Earth objects. • University of Washington scientists contributed to the ultrafast alerting system detecting up to seven million cosmic changes nightly. • Findings enhance solar system mapping and planetary defense efforts.

• Asteroid 2026 FA3, approximately 53 feet wide or house-sized, will safely pass Earth on March 27, 2026, at 1.78 million miles away—seven times lunar distance. • NASA’s planetary defense systems monitor the near-Earth object (NEO) using telescopes and radar for precise orbit, trajectory, and speed calculations. • Followed by two more safe flybys the next day; increased detections due to advanced global tracking highlight vigilant space situational awareness.

NASA’s DART mission slammed into the small asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, and the impact slowed its orbit around the larger Didymos – and also the pair’s path around the sun

The dinosaurs were wiped out by an asteroid, but does that mean we risk suffering the same fate - and should you be worried about the possibility? Leah Crane sets the matter straight