Next month, NASA's groundbreaking asteroid-hopping spacecraft, Lucy, is gearing up for an exhilarating rendezvous with a space rock known as Donaldjohanson. This extraordinary asteroid is estimated to be around 150 million years old and will be the focus of attention when Lucy makes its flyby on April 20.

But don’t be fooled—the primary purpose of this trip is not just to meet Donaldjohanson; it's a crucial practice run for future encounters with Jupiter's enigmatic Trojan asteroids. Over a 12-year mission, Lucy is slated to visit an astonishing 11 asteroids, exploring two separate swarms that orbit ahead of and behind Jupiter.

Every encounter is significant for scientists, and recent studies from researchers at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, indicate that Donaldjohanson may reveal some unexpected surprises. This is especially intriguing given that Lucy's last flyby of the asteroid Dinkinesh led to some exciting discoveries.

Simone Marchi, Lucy's deputy principal investigator, emphasized the uniqueness of Donaldjohanson. Researchers used sophisticated computer modeling to determine that this particular asteroid formed from the debris of a larger asteroid explosion approximately 150 million years ago. They have also concluded that its orbit and rotation have undergone substantial changes over the ages.

David Vokrouhlický, a co-author of the study, stated, "Data suggests that Donaldjohanson could be elongated and a slow rotator. This could be a result of thermal torques that have impacted its movement over time."

During the highly anticipated flyby next month, Lucy will meticulously collect data regarding the asteroid’s shape, surface geology, and cratering history. This information is vital, as it can only be gathered from up close. Unlike previous missions that sampled asteroids like Bennu and Ryugu—where spacecraft collected physical samples—Donaldjohanson presents a fresh opportunity for insight into the solar system's formation.

Marchi noted the excitement surrounding this encounter, remarking, "We can hardly wait for the flyby! So far, Donaldjohanson's characteristics seem distinctly different from Bennu and Ryugu, but we could discover unexpected connections."

Researchers are particularly keen on studying the Trojan asteroids because they are believed to be relics from the early solar system, holding critical clues about the formation of planets. "These ancient bodies are essentially fossils of the planet formation process," said Hal Levison, the mission's principal investigator. "They contain vital information that can help decode the history of our solar system."

Launched on October 16, 2021, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, Lucy's mission is not only ambitious but unprecedented. It bridges the gap between theoretical models and tangible data.

Keith Noll, the Lucy project scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, stated, “Earth-based observations can only take us so far. To validate our models and delve into the details we need, we rely on close-up data. Lucy's upcoming flyby will provide that.”

So mark your calendars! NASA's Lucy probe is about to embark on another thrilling adventure that could reshape our understanding of the cosmos! Don’t miss out on the discoveries that await!