Astronomers catch a shooting star for first time!

By News on the Net —— Bio and Archives March 28, 2009

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Seth Borenstein, The Associated Press WASHINGTON - For the first time, scientists have matched a meteorite found on Earth with a specific asteroid that became a fireball plunging through the sky.

It gives them a glimpse into the past when planets formed and an idea about how to avoid a future asteroid Armageddon. Last October, astronomers tracked a small non-threatening asteroid heading toward Earth before it became a "shooting star" - something they had not done before. More...