Near Earth Objects | The Schools' Observatory

Near-Earth Objects

Near Earth Objects (NEOs) are objects in space on orbits which come near to the Earth.

An illustration showing a large asteroid approaching Earth in space. The Earth is depicted on the left side with its continents and oceans visible, while the rocky, cratered asteroid is shown on the right side against a backdrop of stars

Asteroids

Asteroids are large rocks which orbit the Sun and are too small to be planets.

An image of asteroid Ida, a large, irregularly shaped space rock with visible craters, accompanied by its small moon Dactyl, both set against the blackness of space — Asteroid Ida and its moon, Dactyl

Meteors

Meteors, sometimes called shooting stars, are not stars at all, but small rocks burning up as they fall through Earth's atmosphere.

Their super fast speed through the air causes them to burn up as they fall.

The meteors appear as streaks of light, with varying colors indicating different compositions. The dark, star-filled sky provides a perfect backdrop for this celestial event — Perseid Meteor Shower

Make Your Own Impact Crater

Impact craters are made when a space rock (called a meteorite or asteroid) hits a rocky planet or moon. The impact makes a round hole in the surface, called a crater.

Read more about Make Your Own Impact Crater

Early Life

Edward was born in Suzhou, China. His father was a philosopher and leading theologist in 20^th century China. In 1945, Edward moved to the USA to teach Chinese to American troops. He got a PhD in Geology from the University of Chicago in 1948. In 1949, he moved to Virginia, USA and started working for the US Geological Survey.

Year born: 1919

Research Areas: Meteorite impacts

"People don't believe, but you do your hard work. It takes time to gradually convince them. You always have to find new, better evidence."

Read more about Edward Ching-Te Chao

Ursula Marvin

Early Life

Ursula Marvin was born in Vermont, and grew up in New Hampshire, USA. She loved being outdoors but did not discover her passion for geology until she went to university to study history. She asked to change her degree major to Geology, but her professor refused and told her she should learn how to cook. Instead, Ursula took extra geology, maths and physics courses and went on to earn a PhD in Geology from Harvard University.

Year born: 1921

Research Areas: Meteorites, Moon Rocks

Read more about Ursula Marvin

Early Life

Early Life

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