Get Ready for Asteroid Donaldjohanson!

This Sunday afternoon promises to be thrilling as NASA's Lucy spacecraft gears up for its second close encounter with an asteroid! The spacecraft is on an ambitious 12-year mission to explore the ancient remnants of our solar system, and it will swoop to a mere 596 miles (960 km) from the asteroid named Donaldjohanson, in honor of the paleoanthropologist behind the famous 'Lucy' fossil discovery. This exciting event is scheduled for 1:51 PM ET.

Instruments Ready for Action!

As Lucy approaches, it will employ three advanced instruments to capture intricate details of the asteroid during the flyby. The craft will rotate with Donaldjohanson over several hours, gathering crucial data before it temporarily halts tracking when it gets too close to shield its instruments from the sun's potentially damaging rays.

A Glimpse into the Past: Lessons from Dinkinesh!

In an earlier mission this year, Lucy explored a small asteroid named Dinkinesh, revealing a fascinating phenomenon: a contact binary—a unique double moon structure shaped like a peanut. Each new discovery only fuels further excitement about what lies ahead!

Next Stop? The Trojan Asteroids!

After visiting Donaldjohanson, Lucy will embark on its journey to the Trojan asteroids, which are co-orbiting the sun with Jupiter. The spacecraft is expected to reach its first Trojan target by 2027, all while unveiling the stories hidden within these ancient celestial bodies.

A Rich History Awaits!

Tom Statler, the Lucy mission's program scientist, remarked, "Every asteroid has a different story to tell, and these stories weave together to paint the history of our solar system." With each new asteroid encounter, Statler anticipates surprises and insights that deepen our understanding of cosmic history. With telescopic observations hinting at Donaldjohanson's intriguing narrative, space enthusiasts are in for a treat as Lucy continues to unlock secrets of the universe!