What are asteroids, and where do they come from? And more important, what would happen if one hit Earth? Dr. Nugent is an asteroid hunter working to help map our cosmic neighborhood. She is part of NASA’s NEOWISE mission team, using a space-based infrared telescope to discover, track and characterize asteroids.

With detection being the key to preventing an asteroid impact, learn more about the scientists who are working to prevent the unthinkable from happening.