The Angry Astronaut examines asteroid 2026 JH2, a newly discovered near‑Earth object expected to pass just 91,000 kilometers from Earth on May 18, 2026, and argues that the episode highlights critical shortcomings in current planetary defense capabilities. While agencies classify the flyby as posing zero impact risk, the analysis focuses on limited warning time, impact consequences, and the absence of operational deflection hardware.

After weeks at the top of the Sentry list at the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, the asteroid 2024 YR4 is no longer considered a threat to Earth.

The world's best-preserved baby mammoth, Yana, was discovered in Siberia's permafrost, offering insights into life 50,000 years ago.

On 27 December last year, astronomers using the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile discovered a small asteroid moving away from Earth. Follow-up observations have revealed that the asteroid, 2024 YR4, is on a path that might lead to a collision with our planet on 22 December 2032.

Astronomers have discovered that the near-Earth asteroid 1998 SH2, previously thought to be a typical asteroid, is actually a 'dark comet' exhibiting hidden cometary activity. This finding challenges traditional classifications of space objects, as dark comets can appear as asteroids but show non-gravitational movements caused by sublimating ice beneath their surfaces. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, reveals that 1998 SH2's unexpected orbital behavior was confirmed through observations using advanced telescopes like ATLAS and CFHT. Researchers note that such objects may have contributed to delivering water to early Earth and could explain anomalies like the interstellar object 'Oumuamua. The discovery underscores the importance of re-evaluating astrometry data to identify mislabeled comets, which could impact planetary defense strategies by altering risk assessments for potential Earth impacts. While 1998 SH2 poses no immediate threat, its existence highlights the need for continuous monitoring of near-Earth objects, as their unpredictable movements complicate efforts to predict trajectories and compositions.

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo

a weblog by Paul Fidalgo