Lucy Craft Snaps Photos of Odd-Shaped Asteroid

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    NASA’s Lucy spacecraft has transmitted fresh images following its recent close encounter with an intriguing asteroid, showcasing its unique and irregularly shaped structure. The pictures were made public by NASA after the spacecraft executed its flyby, an essential preparatory step leading to more significant upcoming encounters with asteroids located nearer to Jupiter.

    The asteroid turned out to be more massive than scientists initially estimated, stretching approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) in length and 2 miles (3.5 kilometers) at its widest part, resembling an asymmetrical bowling pin. Due to its extensive length, the spacecraft’s initial images were unable to encompass the entire asteroid. Further data expected over the following week is anticipated to provide greater clarity concerning the asteroid’s formation and dimensions.

    On its mission, Lucy traveled within a distance of 600 miles (960 kilometers) of the asteroid named Donaldjohanson on Sunday. This celestial body resides within the primary asteroid belt situated between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter and honors the paleontologist who discovered the renowned fossil Lucy in Ethiopia half a century ago.

    Launched in 2021, the Lucy mission aims to explore the largely uncharted Trojan asteroids in orbit around Jupiter. The mission’s agenda includes a total of eight planned flybys of these fascinating space rocks, scheduled to conclude by 2033.