NEO

NEO stands for Near-Earth Object, which refers to celestial bodies such as asteroids and comets whose orbits bring them close to Earth. These objects originate mostly from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter or from the outer Solar System. While most pose no threat, some NEOs have the potential to impact Earth, causing local or global effects depending on their size and speed. Scientists track and monitor NEOs to assess any potential hazard and develop strategies for planetary defense. Understanding NEOs helps us better comprehend our Solar System and prepare for rare impact events.