Home | Catalina Sky Survey

The Catalina Sky Survey

At the Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) our mission is fully dedicated to discovering and tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs). CSS is a NASA funded project supported by the Near Earth Object Observation Program (NEOO) under the Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO). We are based at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Lab in Tucson, Arizona.

CSS News

Catalina Discovered Asteroid Inspires Patient Recovery

July 29, 2026

CSS partners with local rehabilitation hospital to have patients name a minor planet!

News

Spectacular First Images from the Rubin Observatory Usher in a New Era of Cosmic Surveying and NEO Detection

June 27, 2025

The Rubin Observatory is poised to begin contributing towards the discovery of new near-Earth objects, complementing existing surveys such as the University of Arizona’s Catalina Sky Survey.

Once Again the Catalina Sky Survey Discovers an Earth-Impacting Asteroid

Jan. 7, 2023

Catalina Sky Survey astronomer David Rankin discovers a near-Earth asteroid a few short hours before its fiery, yet harmless impact into the Earth’s atmosphere.

20211125-C2021-A1-Leonard-CREDIT Michael Jäger

Catalina Sky Survey Tops off 2021 with a Rare Bright Comet Discovery

Dec. 4, 2021

Comet C/2021 A1 Leonard takes center stage in December for sky watchers across the planet. Meet the Catalina Sky Survey astronomer who discovered the comet.

Featured CSS Asteroid Citation

(392952) Hermitageshelter = 2022 WT20 Discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey.
The Hermitage, founded in 1965, is a nonprofit no-kill animal shelter in Tucson, Arizona. For six decades, this accredited sanctuary has provided lifelong refuge to thousands of at-risk cats, including those with diseases like FIV and FeLV whom other shelters routinely euthanize. They host over 200 cats and rescue over 700 annually.

CSS NEAs

Period	NEAs
2026	488
1995 - Present	17757
All Groups 1995 - present	41753

Catalina Sky Survey

Great Discoveries

CSS Telescopes

CSS in the News