NASA’s Lucy spacecraft has made an astonishing discovery during its initial asteroid encounter. The asteroid, aptly named Dinkinesh, has a satellite that is a contact binary composed of two smaller objects in contact with each other. Initially, observations indicated that the lobes of the contact binary were positioned behind each other. However, upon further examination, additional images revealed the true nature of this extraordinary object.
Contact binaries are quite common in the solar system, but the sighting of one orbiting another asteroid is incredibly rare. This unexpected discovery has added excitement to the mission, as it provides an opportunity to test the performance of the system. Although the primary goal of the Lucy spacecraft is to survey Jupiter Trojan asteroids, the encounter with Dinkinesh was an exciting bonus.
The scientific community is buzzing with curiosity about the similar sizes of the two components of the satellite. This puzzling aspect has caught the attention of the Lucy team and they are eager for the scientific community to delve into this mystery and find answers.
Lucy’s journey through space is far from over. It is set to explore a total of 11 asteroids over the course of its 12-year mission. Additionally, in December 2024, the spacecraft will skim the inner edge of the main asteroid belt, utilizing a gravity assist from Earth. The mission is managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and built by Lockheed Martin Space, showcasing the collaborative efforts of multiple organizations.
The Lucy mission, now in its 13th installment, is a part of NASA’s Discovery Program. This program aims to uncover new knowledge about the solar system through relatively low-cost, highly focused missions. Lucy has already made a remarkable discovery with the encounter of Dinkinesh and will undoubtedly continue to captivate the scientific community with its future findings.
In conclusion, the Lucy spacecraft has already surpassed expectations with its surprising discovery of a contact binary satellite orbiting asteroid Dinkinesh. This rare occurrence has added an exciting element to the mission and has sparked the interest of scientists worldwide. As Lucy embarks on its journey through space, it promises to provide further insights into the mysteries of our solar system. Stay tuned for more groundbreaking discoveries from the Lucy mission.
