near-Earth objects
Close-passing space rocks
Near-Earth objects are asteroids and comets whose orbits bring them close to Earth's path around the sun.
Scientists track them because some pose potential collision threats, however remote: NASA monitors thousands of near-Earth objects.
The category includes anything that passes within about 30 million miles of Earth's orbit.
Often abbreviated NEO.
Forceful contact between objects
- craterImpact or volcanic basin
- meteoriteSpace debris reaching Earth
- airburstExplosion in the atmosphere
- shockwavePropagating pressure disturbance
extinction · catastrophe · tsunami · ejecta · fireball · bolide · impactor · megatsunami
Change in trajectory
- DARTKinetic impactor spacecraft mission
- nuclearOf atomic energy
- mitigationReduction of severity
- planetary defenseSafeguarding Earth from space threats
interception · early warning · civil defense · evacuation · preparedness · NASA · ESA · mission
Path of moving object
- perihelionOrbital point nearest sun
- aphelionFarthest point from sun
- eccentricityUnconventional behavior or nature
- inclinationDisposition toward something
orbital mechanics · perturbation · resonance · delta-v · conjunction · flyby · rendezvous
Rear animal appendage
- comaUnwakeable unconsciousness
- HalleyAstronomer's surname, comet fame
- nucleusCentral controlling part
- icesTops with sweet coating
outgassing · dust · sublimation · perihelion · dirty snowball · short-period · long-period · volatile
Greek deity of desire
- planetoidsSmall solar system bodies
- rockyCovered with stones
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- carbonaceousContaining or composed of carbon
Optical magnifying instruments
- observatoriesFacilities for celestial study
- radarRadio-wave object detection
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- CatalinaCalifornia coastal resort island
astrometry · spectroscopy · infrared · photometry · albedo · ephemeris · discovery · characterization
collision
Forceful contact between objects
- craterImpact or volcanic basin
- meteoriteSpace debris reaching Earth
- airburstExplosion in the atmosphere
shockwave · extinction · catastrophe · tsunami · ejecta · fireball · bolide · impactor · megatsunami · risk assessment
deflection
Change in trajectory
- DARTKinetic impactor spacecraft mission
- nuclearOf atomic energy
- mitigationReduction of severity
planetary defense · interception · early warning · civil defense · evacuation · preparedness · NASA · ESA · mission · spacecraft
trajectory
Path of moving object
- perihelionOrbital point nearest sun
- aphelionFarthest point from sun
- eccentricityUnconventional behavior or nature
inclination · orbital mechanics · perturbation · resonance · delta-v · conjunction · flyby · rendezvous
tail
Rear animal appendage
ices · outgassing · dust · sublimation · perihelion · dirty snowball · short-period · long-period · volatile · Rosetta
Eros
Greek deity of desire
- planetoidsSmall solar system bodies
- rockyCovered with stones
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
carbonaceous · silicates · chondrites · rubble pile · regolith
telescopes
Optical magnifying instruments
- observatoriesFacilities for celestial study
- radarRadio-wave object detection
- trackingMonitoring location over time
Catalina · astrometry · spectroscopy · infrared · photometry · albedo · ephemeris · discovery · characterization · early warning