On Feb. 15th an asteroid about half the size of a football field will fly past Earth only 17,200 miles above our planet's surface. There's no danger of a collision, but the space rock, designated 2012 DA14, has NASA's attention.
"This is a record-setting close approach," says Don Yeomans of NASA's Near Earth Object Program at JPL. "Since regular sky surveys began in the 1990s, we've never seen an object this big get so close to Earth."
Here's everything you need to know about Friday's historic asteroid flyby.
One Close Fly-by: DA14 - What We Learn from NEOs
On February 15, 2013, asteroid 2012 DA14, a 50-meter stony asteroid, will pass the Earth at a distance of about 27,680 kilometers (17,200 miles).
Possible Seismic Activity on Asteroid 2012 DA14
For eons, Earth has felt the tremors of asteroids striking our planet. From the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago to the felled forests around Tunguska in 1908, the space rocks keep coming. This week, Earth strikes back.
Best of NASA Science 2010
Take a photographic journey through another year of stunning images and wondrous science.
Seeking Signs of Life at the Glacier's Edge
Microbes living at the edges of Arctic ice sheets could help researchers pinpoint evidence for similar microorganisms that could have evolved on Mars, the Jovian moon Europa, or Saturn's moon Enceladus.
Rotational Motion of Ceres
Ceres, the first asteroid to be discovered, is by far the largest and most massive body in the main asteroid belt. NASA's Dawn Mission will be the first to reach Ceres and one of its main goals is to understand its thermal evolution and current state.
Research... at a Glance
Impacts Could be Boon for Subterranean Life
A drilling project into the Chesapeake Bay impact structure has found evidence that the subsurface may become more habitable after a large impact
Atmospheric Modeling of Martian Methane Plumes: The Debate Continues
From recent observations, it has been suggested that there is evidence for the periodic (seasonal) release of methane occur from discrete surface locations on Mars, although the exact location and mechanism of release is still unknown.
Big Sun-Diving Comet Discovered
Dr. Tony Phillips reports on his personal website -- spaceweather.com -- about a newly-discovered comet that may buzz the sun next year.
9th International Planetary Probe Workshop Repository
We are happy to announce that the repository website for IPPW-9 is online. You will have access to most of the presentations, papers and also to a podcast of the Short Course.
Mars Landing Sky Show
On the same night Curiosity lands on Mars, a "Martian Triangle" will appear in sunset skies of Earth. The first-magnitude apparition on August 5th gives space fans something to do while they wait for news from the Red Planet.
How to Hunt a Space Rock
Recently, meteorite hunters tracked down cosmic debris in order to test a "lab on a chip" destined for future spacecraft.
JPL-Developed Clean Energy Technology Moves Forward
A team of scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in partnership with the University of Southern California, developed a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell technology for future Department of Defense and commercial applic
Resilient Rockets
Spacecraft and automobiles could benefit from a new NASA technology that protects the insides of scorching-hot engines.
Research... at a Glance
Radioisotope Power Systems: Power to Explore
For more than four decades, Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) have played a critical role in the exploration of space, enabling missions of scientific discovery to destinations across the solar system.
Ices of the Universe
On January 24, 2011, Dr. Murthy Gudipati, scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory presented "Ices of the Universe," a lecture focusing on ices found in the solar system, including nitrogen ice on Triton, carbon dioxide ice on Mars, and more
