×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Friday
16
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 16°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

What’s the smallest known asteroid? What about the largest?

Not all asteroids are planet killers

Newsroom March 9 07:25

Asteroids constantly zoom around our solar system and sometimes smash into planets, including Earth. As such, in the name of planetary defense NASA conducted a test, dubbed DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test), to deflect a space rock like the one that wiped out the dinosaurs (or the one Bruce Willis blew up at the end of the movie Armageddon).

>Related articles

Sick astronaut on mission – NASA considers early return of International Space Station crew

NASA published a new map of the universe; the “SPHEREx” space telescope changes the data landscape

Voyager 1 ready to make history again: in 2026 it will reach a distance of “one light-day” from Earth

Not all asteroids are planet killers, however. While some are monster-size, others are quite tiny. So, what are the largest and smallest asteroids on record in the solar system?

In short, the largest asteroid in the solar system is Ceres, which at nearly 590 miles (950 kilometers) across is about one-quarter the size of the moon. The smallest asteroid is more difficult to pin down; the smallest asteroid officially recognized by NASA (opens in new tab), known as asteroid 2015 TC25, is 6 feet (2 meters) across. Some definitions purport that asteroids must be at least 3 feet (1 m) across(opens in new tab), but not all scientists agree about this size limitation.

more at livescience.com

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#NASA asteroids#space#stars#universe
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Where insects go in winter

January 16, 2026

Zelensky: If an agreement is reached, we are ready to sign even next week

January 16, 2026

Actress Melpo Zarokosta dies at 93

January 16, 2026

11 Iconic meze dishes from Volos

January 16, 2026

Sports broadcasts: Where to watch the Conference League play-off draw, the derby in volleyball, and the EuroLeague

January 16, 2026

Study in Greece: International students apply for a place in Greek universities through a single platform

January 16, 2026

Users on X respond to Rama’s comments on whether modern Greeks are descendants of the ancient Greeks

January 16, 2026

Cycladic Identity Initiative launches fourth funding phase to preserve the Cultural and Natural Heritage of the Cyclades

January 16, 2026
All News

> World

Zelensky: If an agreement is reached, we are ready to sign even next week

Zelensky says agreements could be finalized soon, stressing the need for long-term security guarantees beyond political cycles

January 16, 2026

The billionaire behind Trump’s Greenland decisions convinced him that the U.S. should acquire it

January 16, 2026

Why Trump hasn’t “pressed the button” to attack Iran: White House and allies doubt it will weaken the Iranian regime

January 16, 2026

“Denmark escalates military tensions in the Arctic”, Russia says of troop deployment in Greenland

January 16, 2026

Archaeologists opened a cave in Gibraltar that had been sealed for 40,000 years and made a major discovery

January 16, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα