astronomy
Lucy Spacecraft’s Surprise Discovery: Dinkinesh Reveals Binary Nature
Lucy spacecraft’s surprise: Dinkinesh, a main-belt asteroid, revealed its binary nature, setting the stage for the mission’s study of Trojan asteroids.
The Lucy spacecraft, on its way to study the Trojan asteroids in Jupiter’s orbit, recently made an unexpected detour. During a test run past a main-belt asteroid named Dinkinesh, Lucy’s tracking system revealed a surprising revelation. Rather than encountering a single asteroid, Lucy discovered that Dinkinesh is actually a binary system, consisting of one larger asteroid and one smaller moonlet. This unexpected find has provided valuable insights and sets the stage for Lucy’s upcoming mission objectives.
Dinkinesh’s Binary Nature Unveiled:
The name Dinkinesh, meaning “marvelous” in Amharic, perfectly encapsulates the astonishment experienced by the Lucy mission team when they realized the true nature of this asteroid. Initial glimpses of Dinkinesh in September indicated its potential binary nature, as its brightness changed over time. This phenomenon resembled the method used by astronomers to identify planets by observing the fluctuation in brightness when they pass in front of stars.
Lucy’s latest images of Dinkinesh confirmed the existence of the binary system. The parent asteroid was estimated to be about 0.5 miles (790 m) wide, while the moonlet measured approximately 0.15 miles (220 m) in size. This successful mini-mission made Dinkinesh and its moon the smallest main-belt asteroids ever to be well-imaged by a spacecraft, marking a significant milestone for scientific exploration.
Lucy’s Next Destination:
After this unexpected encounter with Dinkinesh, Lucy’s trajectory now sets its sights on future objectives. In December 2024, the spacecraft will undergo a second gravity assist from Earth, propelling it toward the orbit of Jupiter. Once there, Lucy will embark on its primary mission of studying the Trojan asteroids. These asteroids have been captured by Jupiter’s gravitational pull and are believed to have coexisted with the gas giant for billions of years within its orbit around the sun.
Alteration of Lucy’s Mission Plan:
Dinkinesh was not originally part of the Lucy mission’s itinerary. The spacecraft’s original plan involved visiting the main-belt asteroid (52246) Donaldjohanson in 2025, followed by a tour of nine Trojan asteroids beginning in 2033. However, the discovery of a conveniently located small asteroid presented an opportunity for Lucy to make an additional visit. Raphael Marschall of the Nice Observatory in France identified Dinkinesh, estimated to be 0.4 miles (700 m) in size. The mission team adjusted Lucy’s course, bringing it closer to the asteroid, and successfully executed the flyby from a mere 270 miles (430 km) away.
Lucy’s Journey So Far:
Launched in October 2021, Lucy underwent its first flyby of Earth a year later. On January 24, 2023, the mission team added Dinkinesh as a new target, deviating from the original plan. Through a strategic maneuver, Lucy managed to observe this fascinating asteroid two years ahead of schedule. It is worth noting that Dinkinesh derives its name from the Ethiopian term for the famous human ancestor fossil known as Lucy, after which the spacecraft’s mission is named.
Significance of the Tracking System:
Lucy’s encounter with Dinkinesh served as an excellent test for the spacecraft’s innovative tracking system. This system was developed to overcome the longstanding challenge of accurately determining the spacecraft’s distance from an asteroid and precisely pointing the cameras. By approaching Dinkinesh at a similar angle relative to the sun as it will during the Trojan asteroid encounters, scientists were able to practice under comparable conditions well in advance of the main mission.
The Lucy spacecraft’s unexpected discovery of Dinkinesh’s binary nature during its test run past the main-belt asteroid has provided valuable insights into the diversity of celestial bodies within our solar system. This surprise encounter showcases the capabilities of Lucy’s tracking system and its ability to adapt to unforeseen opportunities. As Lucy continues its journey, it promises to unravel more mysteries surrounding the Trojan asteroids and contribute to our understanding of the fascinating celestial objects that reside within Jupiter’s orbit.
Source: NASA
Check out this article from Earthsky https://earthsky.org/space/lucy-spacecraft-to-visit-asteroid-nov-1-2023/?mc_cid=c07b5b936a&mc_eid=36fb49e54a
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