NASA’s Lucy mission is vital to serving to us perceive the early historical past of our photo voltaic system because it research asteroids just like the Donaldjohanson.
What’s it?
Named after the paleoanthropologist who co-discovered the Lucy skeleton, NASA’s Lucy area probe is vital to serving to scientists perceive the early historical past of our photo voltaic system. Launched on Oct. 16, 2021, Lucy is the primary area mission designed particularly to check Trojan asteroids, that are historic remnants from the early photo voltaic system that share orbits with the solar and Jupiter.
One in every of these asteroids is the Donaldjohanson. Found in 1995, this small rocky asteroid (not thought of a Trojan asteroid) was positioned in the principle asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
The place is it?
This {photograph} was taken in the principle asteroid belt of our photo voltaic system, the place the spacecraft got here near the asteroid at 596 miles (960 kilometers) from Earth.
Why is it wonderful?
On April 20 2025, NASA’s Lucy had a detailed encounter with the asteroid Donaldjohanson, taking this shut up picture. Whereas Donaldjohanson is not thought of a Trojan asteroid, the flyby offered a “dress rehearsal” for the Lucy mission earlier than heading towards Jupiter to check the Trojan asteroids farther away from Earth.
As soon as there, Lucy will conduct 4 flybys, observing at the very least six asteroids. According to NASA, the primary shut encounter shall be with asteroid Eurybates in August 2027.
Wish to study extra?
You possibly can learn extra about NASA’s Lucy mission and the method of asteroid formation because the area probe continues to journey our photo voltaic system.
