ASTEROID

With the small near-Earth asteroid flyby on Feb. 15 and the meteor that broke apart over Russia on the same day, space objects crashing into Earth is a hot topic. To protect the earth, scientists have created a hypothetical asteroid defense system using lasers.

The mid-air explosion of a meteor over Russia echoes another extraterrestrial encounter that occurred more than a century ago known as the Tunguska Event.

The small near-Earth asteroid 2012 DA14 flyby Friday may be one for the record books. There are many ways to watch the historic event online.

Hollywood depicts asteroids as Earth-shattering nemeses, but, in the real world, some hope to bring them closer to Earth.

2012 DA14 will pass within 17,200 miles of Earth's surface on Friday -- a distance more than twice the diameter of our planet.

A very large asteroid is set to fly by Earth on Feb. 15, one day after Valentine's Day. The asteroid will not hit Earth but will pass by incredibly close and could be a record for an asteroid of this size, NASA reported.

An asteroid is about to give Earth a record-breaking close shave, as it comes closer to the planet than any asteroid has before -- even closer than many satellites.

Deep Space Industries said Tuesday that it plans to start launching its 55-pound FireFly spacecraft in 2015.

Observations taken during the asteroid’s flyby this week have helped to rule out an apocalyptic scenario on Easter Sunday in 2036.

“Doomsday asteroid” Apophis flew by the Earth on Wednesday, and while there was no chance of the giant asteroid hitting our planet then, for some time, scientists have been worried that the asteroid could hit Earth when it swings by again in 2029 and 2036. Now, after Wednesday’s close encounter, scientists at NASA have ruled out any significant chance of an impact by Asteroid Apophis.

Apophis, the "doomsday object" will be able to seen through live stream thanks to Space.com.

Observations of near-Earth asteroid Apophis during this pass could help scientists refine their calculations for closer shaves in 2029 and 2036.

The asteroid Apophis, thought to have a tiny chance of hitting the earth in 2036, is making a pass overhead on Wednesday night.

Photos of the 2012 Geminid meteor show.

Get ready for some serious shooting star action, because the Geminid meteor shower is about to peak.

The Geminids meteor shower is poised to be the best meteor shower of the year, and this NASA live stream view is your best way to watch the spectacle from the comfort of your home.

A three-mile wide asteroid called Toutatis began its path Tuesday night as it flew by Earth -- on its journey for the next week.

NASA keeps tabs on Toutatis and other celestial objects that make close fly-bys of Earth, but the odds of any object devastating the planet within the next few centuries are very small.

Live stream footage the 3-mile wide asteroid Toutatis flying by Earth.

This guide provides some helpful advice on where, when and how to watch the Geminids meteor shower in all its glory. The Geminids meteor shower will peak this week, and amateur and professional astronomers are preparing for what many space-watchers say will be the best meteor shower of the year.

Scientists at NASA captured stunning images of a mile-wide asteroid as it approached Earth over three days in late October and early November.