NASA’s Lucy spacecraft, launched in October 2021, has made a remarkable discovery during its flyby of a small asteroid named Dinkinesh near Mars. The surprising find occurred in Mars’ asteroid belt, approximately 300 million miles away.
Using its advanced imaging capabilities, Lucy captured an image of Dinkinesh when it was only 270 miles away from the asteroid. The image was then transmitted back to Earth, providing scientists with fascinating insights into this celestial object.
The findings revealed that Dinkinesh is a relatively small asteroid, measuring just half a mile across. What makes it even more intriguing is the presence of a tiny moon, approximately a tenth of a mile in diameter, accompanying the asteroid.
This mission to photograph Dinkinesh also served as a rehearsal for a larger mission to study the mysterious asteroids near Jupiter. Lucy’s primary objective is to explore the Trojan asteroids, and the data collected from this mission will prove vital for future endeavors.
The 12-year-long mission of Lucy is groundbreaking as it is the first to target the Jupiter asteroids. Scheduled to begin in 2027, Lucy will embark on its mission to explore the Trojan asteroids, which are asteroids that share the same orbit as Jupiter.
Interestingly, the name Dinkinesh holds significant meaning. In the Amharic language, it translates to “you are marvelous.” This name is also associated with the famous human ancestor discovered in Ethiopia in the 1970s, further adding to the significance of the find.
Hal Levison, the lead scientist from Southwest Research Institute, expressed excitement about the discovery of Dinkinesh, affirming that it truly lives up to its name.
This remarkable discovery has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of NASA and its partners. The Associated Press has contributed to this report, further highlighting the significance of this fascinating finding.
As Lucy continues its journey through space, scientists eagerly await the exploration of the Trojan asteroids and the groundbreaking insights it will bring. The Puck Drop will closely follow the progress of Lucy’s mission, providing regular updates on the exciting discoveries that lie ahead.
