NASA Science released an updated version of its tracking tool, Eyes on Asteroids, on September 30, 2026. The update introduces visual replay features for asteroid impacts and close approaches to Earth.
The application tracks 42,580 Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). Under the new update, users can select a "Watch" button to observe an object's closest approach to Earth, provided the asteroid comes within 0.05 Astronomical Units—equivalent to 7,479,894 kilometres or 4,647,790 miles. To maintain calculation accuracy, the software limits its forward time projection to ten years into the future.
New Impact Tracking and Mission Updates
In addition to tracking close passes, the new release adds an "Impact" tab to the asteroid information panel. This feature includes a separate "Watch" button that allows users to view impacts at the time they occurred.
The software update also refreshes the educational content in the application's "Learn" section. An updated story, titled "How NASA Protects Earth", includes a slide on the NEO Surveyor mission.
NEO Surveyor is scheduled to launch in 2027 to search for darker asteroids.
