NASA’s Lucy spacecraft has captured striking images of asteroid Donaldjohanson, revealing it to be a contact binary with a unique “ice cream cone” shape. This unexpected geological complexity offers insights into the early solar system.
During its second asteroid flyby, Lucy passed within approximately 600 miles (960 kilometers) of the asteroid and began transmitting images from the encounter. The spacecraft’s L’LORRI camera revealed an elongated contact binary with a narrow, twisted neck linking two lobes.
The asteroid’s unusual shape has sparked interest among scientists, who believe it may provide clues to planet formation. Initial analysis suggests Donaldjohanson is larger than expected, measuring about 5 miles (8 kilometers) long and 2 miles (3.5 kilometers) wide at its broadest point.
Lucy’s encounter with Donaldjohanson served as a full-scale test for the spacecraft’s instruments before venturing towards its main objectives – the Trojan asteroids near Jupiter. This mission is part of NASA’s Discovery Program, which aims to gain new insights into the early history of the solar system.
The Lucy spacecraft will spend most of 2025 traveling through the main asteroid belt, with its first main target being the Jupiter Trojan asteroid Eurybates in August 2027. Scientists are excited about the potential discoveries that await them as they explore the ancient remnants from the early solar system.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/nasas-lucy-captures-ice-cream-cone-shaped-asteroid-that-defies-expectations