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What are asteroids?

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Uploaded on June 30, 2022

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What are asteroids?

2022-06-30 – This video is about asteroids, their size, where they are, and how we observe them.

OSIRIS-REx is Canada's first participation in an asteroid sample-return mission. Using Canadian instrument OLA, the spacecraft created a 3D map of Bennu's surface, allowing scientists to select a sample site. Canada will receive a portion of the asteroid material. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)

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Asteroids

Asteroids are small rocky or metallic bodies in the solar system.

Most are found in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

The belt contains millions of asteroids.

Their sizes can vary but many are less than 10 metres wide.

The largest asteroid ever detected, Vesta, is 530 kilometres wide.

Asteroids are also observed by satellites.

NEOSSat is the first Canadian satellite dedicated to detecting and tracking asteroids, comets, satellites, space debris and exoplanets.

We say that it keeps an eye on asteroids!

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