NASA's Lucy spacecraft has recently transmitted jaw-dropping images of a bizarrely-shaped asteroid, sparking excitement among scientists and space enthusiasts alike. This peculiar space rock, resembling a lumpy bowling pin, adds yet another layer of intrigue to our understanding of the cosmos.

Released on Monday, these stunning images came just a day after Lucy's close encounter with the asteroid, marking a critical preparatory step for its more significant missions ahead, even further out near Jupiter.

This asteroid, known as Donaldjohanson, is larger than researchers had forecasted, measuring approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) in length and 2 miles (3.5 kilometers) at its widest point. Due to its elongated shape, the spacecraft couldn't capture the entire length in a single shot, but NASA plans to provide additional data over the coming week that will help clarify its odd shape.

During its flyby, Lucy passed within a mere 600 miles (960 kilometers) of Donaldjohanson, which resides in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Named after the renowned paleontologist who discovered the famous fossil Lucy 50 years ago, this asteroid represents a fascinating link between Earth’s past and our exploration of the universe.

Launched in 2021, the Lucy spacecraft aims to investigate the Trojan asteroids, which are untouched remnants from the solar system's formation. With eight planned flybys through 2033, Lucy is set to unravel mysteries of these ancient celestial bodies, potentially shedding light on the origins of our planet and beyond.