Explore the Cosmos with CosmicLookout
Discover the beauty and danger of near-Earth objects on a journey through our solar system and beyond.
Our Solar System: A Planetary Overview
Solar System Planets are the eight celestial bodies that orbit the Sun.
Each planet has its unique characteristics, from the extreme temperatures of Mercury and Venus to the giant storms of Jupiter and Saturn. The study of these planets helps us understand the formation and evolution of our solar system and the possibility of life beyond Earth.
Mercury
Type : Terrestrial Planet
The closest planet to the sun, Mercury is a small, rocky world with a heavily cratered surface. It has no atmosphere to speak of, making it extremely hot during the day and freezing cold at night
Venus
Type : Terrestrial Planet
Often called Earths twin, Venus is a similar size and composition. However, its atmosphere is incredibly dense, trapping heat and making it the hottest planet in our solar system
Earth
Type : Terrestrial Planet
Our home planet, Earth is the only known planet to support life. It has a unique atmosphere that protects us from harmful radiation and provides the conditions necessary for water to exist in liquid form.
Mars
Type : Terrestrial Planet
The Red Planet, Mars is a cold, barren world with a thin atmosphere. It has polar ice caps and evidence of ancient water flow, suggesting that it may have once been habitable.
Jupiter
Type : Gas Giants
The largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter is a gas giant composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. It has a Great Red Spot, a massive storm that has been raging for centuries.
Saturn
Type : Gas Giants
Known for its iconic rings, Saturn is another gas giant with a similar composition to Jupiter. Its rings are made up of billions of icy particles.
Uranus
Type : Gas Giants
An ice giant, Uranus is tilted on its side, causing its seasons to be extreme. It has a faint ring system and several moons.
Neptune
Type : Gas Giants
The farthest planet from the sun, Neptune is a deep blue color due to methane in its atmosphere. It has strong winds and a Great Dark Spot, a storm similar to Jupiters Great Red Spot.
Top 10 Near-Earth Asteroids
Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) are celestial bodies that orbit the Sun and pass within a certain distance of Earth. These objects can pose a potential threat to our planet, and their study is crucial for understanding and mitigating potential risks
433 Eros
Type : S-type
Size : 16.8 km
This asteroid is one of the largest near-Earth asteroids and has been visited by spacecraft.
99942 Apophis
Type : S-type
Size : 370 m
This asteroid made headlines in 2004 when it was briefly considered to have a high chance of impacting Earth. While the risk has since been downgraded, it remains an object of interest.
101955 Bennu
Type : C-type
Size : 510 m
This asteroid is a potential impactor and has been the target of NASAs OSIRIS-REx mission.
2009 FD
Type : S-type
Size : 130-280 m
This asteroid is relatively small but has a high chance of impacting Earth in the future.
65778 Dymoke
Type : M-type
Size : 1.5 km
This asteroid is one of the largest near-Earth asteroids and has a potential impact risk.
2010 RF12
Type : S-type
Size : 30-70 m
This asteroid is small but has a high chance of impacting Earth in the future.
2008 TC3
Type : S-type
Size : 3-5 meters
This asteroid is notable for being the first one to be discovered and tracked before it impacted Earth in 2008.
2014 AA
Type : S-type
Size : 2-5 meters
This asteroid is also notable for being discovered and tracked before it impacted Earth in 2014.
2019 MO
Type : S-type
Size : 4-6 meters
This asteroid is the smallest known object to have impacted Earth in recorded history.
2023 CX1
Type : S-type
Size : 1-2 meters
This asteroid is notable for being the first one to be discovered and tracked before it impacted Earth in 2023.
Top 10 Near-Earth Comets
Near-Earth Comets (NECs) are comets that pass within 1.3 astronomical units (AU) of Earth's orbit. These celestial bodies are composed of ice, dust, and gas, and they often have long tails when they approach the Sun.
433 Eros
This asteroid is one of the largest near-Earth asteroids and has been visited by spacecraft.
99942 Apophis
This asteroid made headlines in 2004 when it was briefly considered to have a high chance of impacting Earth. While the risk has since been downgraded, it remains an object of interest.
101955 Bennu
This asteroid is a potential impactor and has been the target of NASAs OSIRIS-REx mission.
2009 FD
This asteroid is relatively small but has a high chance of impacting Earth in the future.
65778 Dymoke
This asteroid is one of the largest near-Earth asteroids and has a potential impact risk.
2010 RF12
This asteroid is small but has a high chance of impacting Earth in the future.
2008 TC3
This asteroid is notable for being the first one to be discovered and tracked before it impacted Earth in 2008.
2014 AA
This asteroid is also notable for being discovered and tracked before it impacted Earth in 2014.
2019 MO
This asteroid is the smallest known object to have impacted Earth in recorded history.
2023 CX1
This asteroid is notable for being the first one to be discovered and tracked before it impacted Earth in 2023.
