Rocks In Space!
AIAA LA Planetary Defense mini Conference
Planetary scientist · science communicator
Luisa Fernanda Zambrano Marín
Asteroids, radar, rockets, and the physics of it all.
Planetary Defense Watch · updated 3× a dayAsteroids today
Near-Earth asteroids passing within 19 lunar distances in the next 7 days, and where on Earth you could see them.
Visible at closest approach (dark sky, 20° up)
Night
Asteroid overhead (orange: closer than the Moon)
Latest fireball
| Closest (UTC) | Asteroid | LD | Size | To see it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading this week's data… | ||||
Within 0.05 au. LD = lunar distances (384,400 km). Orange rows pass closer than the Moon. Sizes estimated from brightness.
Ask About Apophis projectApophis is coming
On 13 April 2029 the asteroid Apophis will pass closer to Earth than the satellites that bring us TV. My Apophis dashboard tracks what the web is saying about it as the day approaches.
–days
–hours
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Open dashboard →
My daily newspaperSpace News
Space, astronomy, rockets and planetary defense, every day. Every story links to its sources.
NEWSROOMFLOOR.COM *PILOT MEMBER* CUSTOM NEWS WITH RECEIPTS
Read the paperThe Day · newscast
Latest episodeSpace ShopJewelry & home decor
Jewelry
Space jewelry
Pendants, bracelets and rings: engraved, or printed with our art.
Home
Space decor
Ornaments, clocks, blankets, pillows, rugs and puzzles for your home.
Wear
Tees & hoodies
Our news pictures and collection art, printed to order.
Gifts
Stargazing finds
The telescopes, books and gear I recommend.
Talks & outreachSelected presentations
Asteroid Day Q&A
Florida Space Institute, with Sean Marshall
The Fastest Rotators
Florida Space Institute Seminar Series
REYES-STEM
Old Dominion University
Rocas en El Espacio
EcoExploratorio, Museo de Ciencias de Puerto Rico
Arecibo Observatory Space Academy
SSERVI NESF 2015
About meHi! I'm Luisa Fernanda
I'm a planetary scientist and science communicator. I study asteroids by bouncing radio waves off them, and I explain what we find to everyone who'll listen.
Every student who looks up now has a real shot at joining the space workforce. I do space science, and I build bridges between science, education, and the space economy, because they move faster together.
That same speed matters in planetary defense: protecting Earth starts with knowing our neighbors, and depends just as much on how fast we can respond. That's why, as a radar astronomer, I'm counting down to the closest approach of a large asteroid in recorded history.
Download CV (PDF)
Two neighbors in the main belt
See the live orbits of main belt asteroids 12993 Luisafernanda (1981 EP27) and 12994 Pitufo (1981 ET27). Both discovered by S. J. Bus on 2 March 1981 at Siding Spring, and today they share the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Drag to rotate · tap an asteroid
Simplified calculation from NASA/JPL orbital elements, so positions are approximate, especially far from today. Orbit lines fade where they dip below the plane of the planets.