×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Wednesday
17
Jun 2026
weather symbol
Athens 32°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

Δείτε περισσότερα άρθρα μας στα αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης

Add Protothema.gr on Google

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

Elon Musk & SpaceX: How the “failed idea” and the Russians’ “NO” led to the launch of a $2 trillion company

Air leak on the International Space Station: Astronauts prepare for possible evacuation

Steven Spielberg fuels alien theories about life on Earth: “Wouldn’t it be wonderful for the world to know that all of this IS true?”

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

8 Greek Wines to Drink This Summer (2026)

June 17, 2026

Illegal pay-TV network with 86,000 customers dismantled in Greece, with seven arrests and profits exceeding €7m

June 17, 2026

Excavation at royal gymnasium of Alexander the Great reveals colonnades, stadium and styluses

June 17, 2026

Migrant deaths in ICE detention more than doubled under Trump administration since January 2025

June 17, 2026

Photos: Emily Ratajkowski’s revealing poses in a swimsuit

June 17, 2026

Rare sighting of five sperm whales off Lefkada, video shows

June 17, 2026

Tempi railway tragedy trial proceeds dramatically as victims’ relatives clash with Greek opposition leader 

June 17, 2026

The mausoleum of Koumoundourou, another poll is coming, the “patriotic tax” baloney, and the sponsors (Alexis… go ask the sponsors too), the Nammos Beach Concept

June 17, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα