NASA Discovers a Small Asteroid NASA scientists have recently discovered a small asteroid in our solar system. The asteroid, named 2021 PH27, is estimated to be around 120 meters in diameter and is currently orbiting the sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. While the asteroid poses no threat to Earth, it is an exciting discovery for astronomers and space enthusiasts. The discovery was made using NASA's Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) spacecraft, which is designed to search for asteroids and comets that could pose a risk to our planet. NEOWISE uses infrared cameras to pick up the heat signatures of objects in space, making it easier to detect asteroids that are difficult to spot using traditional telescopes. According to NASA, 2021 PH27 has a highly inclined orbit, which means it travels at a steep angle relative to the plane of the solar system. This makes it unique from other asteroids we have observed so far. The asteroid's orbit also suggests that it may be part of a larger group of asteroids that have yet to be discovered. While 2021 PH27 is not a threat to Earth, it is a reminder of the importance of continued asteroid detection and characterization efforts. The world was reminded of this in 2013 when a small asteroid exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, causing widespread damage and injuries. While NASA was able to detect and track the asteroid before impact, it was not large enough to be seen with the naked eye. NASA is currently developing new technologies to better detect and track asteroids, such as the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which is set to launch in November 2021. The DART mission will test a technique called kinetic impactor, which involves crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid to change its trajectory. The discovery of 2021 PH27 serves as a reminder that there is still much to learn about the solar system and the objects that inhabit it. With continued efforts to detect and study asteroids, we can better understand the risks they pose to Earth and develop strategies to mitigate them. Hopefully, this new discovery will spark more interest and investment in the exciting and critical field of planetary defense.