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Decorative illustration

Hazardous Asteroids

Investigation total duration
1.5 hours

Videos and Auxiliary Content

Interactive Resources from external websites

Impact Earth - Calculate the potential damage of an asteroid impact

Project Impact - Includes mitigation strategies

Related Rubin Observatory Resources

Orbitviewer.app

Rubin Asteroid Discoveries Dashboard

Visualization of the simulated LSST Solar System discoveries over the first 10 years (2.5 minute video) from Kurlander et al. 2025 .

Spot the Difference video (51 seconds) explains how Rubin detects asteroids.

Keeping an Eye on Asteroids slideshow

These resources are from a Rubin Observatory teacher workshop on this investigation. They include a talk (15 minute video) from an expert in this topic and the accompanying speaker slides.

Video: Rob Jedicke, "Killer Asteroids" and Speaker slides

Options for Extended Exploration

Planetary scientists have determined that an asteroid may be considered potentially hazardous if it comes within 0.05 au of Earth. In the future, humans may inhabit Mars. If you were to calculate a minimum hazard distance for Mars, would it be more or less than 0.05 au? Explain what factors you considered in making your decision.

Make Your Own Rubin Voices Trading Card

Use this activity:

  • To encourage students to imagine themselves in a STEAM career.
  • To Introduce the variety of occupations involved in Observatory operations.
  • As a "get to know you" activity


Make Your Own Rubin Voices Trading Card