Unveiling the Secrets of the Lucy Mission: Asteroid Discoveries
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Chapter 1: Introducing the Lucy Probe
Earlier this month, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft achieved its first encounter with an asteroid, leading to an astonishing revelation: it discovered not one, but three asteroids in the vicinity. Among these, two of the asteroids seem to form a contact binary, circling around the largest one in the group.
This initial close-up observation of asteroid Dinkinesh uncovered a smaller satellite orbiting the main asteroid. Credit: NASA/Goddard/SwRI/Johns Hopkins APL/NOAO.
Section 1.1: What is the Lucy Mission?
The Lucy mission is part of a series of asteroid-focused explorations capturing public interest this autumn, which NASA has termed “asteroid autumn.” This season also features other notable missions, such as the recent unveiling of the first asteroid return sample and the launch of the Psyche mission, aimed at studying a uniquely metal-rich asteroid located in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.
During its 12-year mission, Lucy is set to investigate a record number of asteroids, including flybys of two from the main belt and eight Trojan asteroids, three of which are satellites of others. Trojan asteroids are two clusters that share Jupiter's orbit, maintaining stable positions known as Lagrange points. These vast groups of asteroids are believed to host a quantity comparable to those found in the main asteroid belt.
Concept art depicting the Lucy spacecraft as it approaches the Trojan asteroid (617) Patroclus and its companion Menoetius. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Conceptual Image Lab/Adriana Gutierrez.
Section 1.2: Scientific Objectives of the Lucy Mission
Lucy’s primary goal is to examine a diverse array of small celestial bodies orbiting the Sun, both in the main asteroid belt and around Jupiter. By analyzing the makeup of these asteroids, NASA aims to gain deeper insights into the solar system's formation, as many of these bodies are remnants from its early days. The mission's name pays homage to a famous fossilized skeleton of a human ancestor discovered in Ethiopia in 1974, symbolizing the quest for knowledge about our origins.
Chapter 2: Discoveries from the Lucy Mission
In its inaugural flyby, Lucy encountered asteroid Dinkinesh, named after the Ethiopian term for the fossil, which translates to “you are marvelous.” True to its name, Dinkinesh surprised scientists with images showing a smaller asteroid in its orbit, further examination revealed that this smaller body is a contact binary.
The second image captured during the flyby revealed the satellite's unique identity as a contact binary. Credit: NASA/Goddard/SwRI/Johns Hopkins APL.
Contact binaries occur when two small celestial objects, such as asteroids or comets, orbit so closely that they eventually merge, forming a peanut-like shape. Dinkinesh's companion was identified as such after Lucy captured images from various angles.
The first video titled "WOW! Lucy Found a Pair of Asteroids Touching Each Other in Jupiter's Orbit" explores this fascinating discovery further.
Where is Lucy Heading Next?
Following its flyby of Dinkinesh, Lucy will not reach its next target until April 2025. The next stop is the main belt asteroid DonaldJohanson, named after the discoverer of the Lucy fossil. Subsequent missions will focus on Trojan asteroids, many of which have satellites similar to Dinkinesh.
With the revelation of Dinkinesh's satellite, Lucy's mission will encompass a total of 11 asteroids (or 12 if the newly identified contact binary is counted as two). The mission is expected to conclude after examining its final target in March 2033.
The second video titled "NASA's Lucy Mission Just Made a Bizarre Discovery We Can't Explain" provides additional insights into these remarkable findings.