Now available in JGR-Planets (that’s Journal of Geophysical Research-), for Feb (vol. 131 #2): Chow, I. Brown, P. G. Decameter-Sized Earth Impactors—II: A Bayesian Inference Approach to Meteoroid Ablation Modeling e2025JE009392 2025JE009392 We’re not too worried about the smallest class… Read More »Note, Paper: Bolide Boil Modeled
Wrapping up the big 2026 LPSC meeting: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2026/ https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2026/program/ See also: Part I and II Electronic Posters: Achondrites Cao F. et al. Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry of Ungrouped Achondrite Northwest Africa (NWA) 4587 [#1880] NWA 4587 is an ungrouped basaltic achondrite with… Read More »LPSC 2026- Part III
The Lunar and Planetary Science Conference continues into day 3-4, Wednesday and Thursday. https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2026/ https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2026/program/ See also: Part I Of the (large) program, here’s my small-body selections: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Differentiated Bodies: Petrology and Cosmochemistry Neumann W. et al. … Read More »LPSC 2026- Part II
It’s LPSC time. The 57th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference will be held (in the same Houston area) this March 16-20: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2026/ Really, the LPSC is the big meeting of the annual calendar in this field. This year, there are… Read More »LPSC 2026- Part I
Nice issue (mid-month this time) of Icarus for 15 March (vol. 447): Colazo, M. Oszkiewicz, D. Poźniak, P. et al. Detectability of asteroid phase coloring based on phase curves obtained from large spectro-photometric surveys Art 116891 .2025.116891Galiullin, M. I. Glamazda,… Read More »Note, Paper: Pertinent Uncertainties
That DART program just keeps on delivering. Via the Spacepod podcast: www.listentospacepod.com/episodes/2026/3/3/232-how-many-potholes-are-on-an-asteroid DART science team member Dr. N. Chabot speaks about the mission results. Have a listen.
Just out in this week’s Science Advances (6 Mar 2026, vol. 12 #10): Makadia, R. Chesley, S. R. Herald, D. et al. Direct detection of an asteroid’s heliocentric deflection: The Didymos system after DART .aea4259 Yes, that DART mission struck… Read More »Note, Paper: DART Imparted Larger Charge
Previously, we determined that near-Earth asteroid 2024 YR4 would not threaten the Earth in the 2030s (or on any other near-term apparition). But the possibility of an impact on our Large Achondrite satellite had not been ruled out yet. Should YR4… Read More »2024 YR4 No Risk (…At All)
I spoke too soon on Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy (Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. for “short”) for Feb (vol.138 #1). They’re still going: Liu, X. Armellin, R, Pirovano, L. et al. Analyzing collision probability for asteroids detected on too short… Read More »Note, Paper: Note Impactor!!!
Just out in the pop mag New Scientist: www.newscientist.com/article/2517120-how-worried-should-you-be-about-an-asteroid-smashing-into-earth/Leah Crane, 27 February 2026 3585 How worried should you be about an asteroid smashing into Earth? For the moment, the answer is not that worried. The true “extinction level” hazardous asteroids… Read More »New Scientist Views Flying Risk