Countdown to Encounter: Lucy's Next Asteroid Adventure!

NASA's Lucy spacecraft is gearing up for an exhilarating second close encounter with the small main belt asteroid, Donaldjohanson, just 6 days away and under 50 million miles from Earth.

A Critical "Dress Rehearsal" Ahead of Major Discoveries!

This flyby isn't just any routine check—it's a vital "dress rehearsal" for Lucy's ambitious mission that spans the next decade, aimed at delving into the mysteries of multiple Trojan asteroids trailing behind Jupiter in its orbit around the Sun.

Following its successful encounter with the minuscule asteroid Dinkinesh in November 2023, where it conducted crucial systems tests, the team is all set to apply that knowledge towards this next flyby.

Mark Your Calendars: April 20 is the Day!

Prepare for the closest approach at 1:51 PM EDT on April 20, where Lucy will zoom past Donaldjohanson at a mere 596 miles away, offering a spectacular view!

An Autonomous Dance: Lucy's Observing Sequence!

As the spacecraft nears the asteroid, it will autonomously pivot to keep Donaldjohanson in its sights, temporarily suspending communication with Earth. This maneuver will enable Lucy to execute a more complex observing sequence with its sophisticated instruments—L'LORRI, L'Ralph, and L'TES—designed to capture the kind of intricate data scientists are eager to unravel.

Protecting Precious Data from a Blinding Sun!

To safeguard its sensitive instruments from the blinding sunlight, Lucy will halt tracking just 40 seconds before the closest approach. "Imagine watching Lucy approach while covering your eyes from the Sun’s glare!" explains Michael Vincent, the encounter phase lead at Southwest Research Institute.

A Unique Encounter: The Light Speed Challenge!

This particular geometry makes this encounter unique, but the good news is that during the anticipated Trojan encounters, Lucy will be able to gather data without interruptions.

Post-encounter, Lucy will pivot its solar arrays back toward the Sun and re-establish communications with Earth about an hour later, reminding us just how slow the speed of light really is—12.5 minutes for signals to travel one way!

Unearthing the Mysteries of Our Solar System!

With Donaldjohanson being one of the youngest main belt asteroids due to a collision that occurred 150 million years ago, its exploration could reveal fascinating insights.

As Tom Statler, the Lucy mission program scientist at NASA, aptly puts it, "Every asteroid has a different story to tell, painting the history of our solar system. We're only just beginning to uncover the depth of these tales, and I fully expect to be astonished once more!"