A strange shape and an unexpected size

NASA spread on April 21, 2025 The first pictures of the asteroid DonaldhansonThe Lucy ship seized, revealing Exclusive, irregular and unexpected lineage.

According to the space agency, the surplus occurred the day before Part of the technical test For future tasks more complicated.

Scientists, Donalddhenson, described on the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter An organism of about 8 km long and 3.5 km wideVisually resembles “Poling Pin” because of its athocial shape.

Its size exceeded the previous estimates, to the extent that Lucy It cannot be fully captured In one snapshot during this first approach.

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A major article on Jupiter

Donaldhanson excelled It is considered a general article Before Lucy approached his main goal: Trojan asteroids that revolve around Jupiter Planet.

According to the mission plan, Lucy will fly on eight Trojan asteroids until 2033 The purpose of expanding knowledge about the origins of the solar system.

During this initial meeting, Lucy went less than 960 km from the asteroid, and sent the photos that already began analyzing. NASA stated that more data will arrive next week, which will generate more accurate 3D models for the surface of the object.

Why is it called Donaldjohanson?

This asteroid Donald Johansson, the world of excavations in 1974 Discover in the famous Ethiopia of Ethiopia Al -AhfuriOne of the oldest residue Australopithecus Afarensis. The spacecraft was baptized with the same name in honor of the discovery, which changed the history of the old science.

Thus, Donaldhanson’s flow represents a kind of symbolic contact Between exploring the human past And inquire about the origin of the solar system.

Lucy’s task and her scientific goal

Lucy SHIP is located in October 2021, it is part of the NASA discovery program. Your main mission Trojan asteroids studyTime capsules are considered It can contain major information On the formation of planets.

These rock bodies They are assembled in swarms in Jupiter’s orbitOne in the foreground and one behind the planet. To date, they have been almost unimpressed, making Lucy the first mission to search for it directly.

BGPA