This weekend, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft is set to make its second encounter with a small asteroid as it journeys toward the intriguing Trojan asteroids near Jupiter. Launched in 2021, Lucy’s mission involves studying a total of 11 asteroids, with its recent flyby of an asteroid named Dinkinesh taking place in November 2023.

The Mission’s Significance

The close encounters with these asteroids provide valuable insights into the early solar system and the processes involved in planetary formation. These space rocks are considered to be remnants from that era, holding clues to the origins of our celestial neighborhood.

Upcoming Flyby Details

Scheduled for this Sunday, Lucy will make a close approach to the asteroid known as Donaldjohanson, located 139 million miles from Earth within the main asteroid belt. At this distance, data transmission will experience a notable delay, requiring 12 minutes for signals to reach mission command in Colorado.

The spacecraft will utilize its three scientific instruments to study the asteroid, venturing within 596 miles of its surface while traveling at speeds exceeding 30,000 mph.

Meeting the Asteroid Donaldjohanson

The asteroid, approximately 2.5 miles in length, might exhibit a shape resembling either a bowling pin or a snowman, according to lead scientist Hal Levison from the Southwest Research Institute. This flyby serves as an essential preparatory step for Lucy’s upcoming mission to the Trojan asteroids, expected to commence in 2027.

Unique Characteristics of the Encounter

Communication will be temporarily halted during the flyby to ensure data collection can proceed unobstructed. Lucy will cease its tracking of Donaldjohanson 40 seconds before its closest approach to safeguard its instruments from potential sunlight glare. “If you were sitting on the asteroid watching the Lucy spacecraft approaching, you would have to shield your eyes,” explained Michael Vincent from SwRI.

Continued Exploration of the Solar System

Lucy’s next significant phase will lead it to the Trojan asteroids, which follow and precede Jupiter in its orbit. Between 2027 and 2033, Lucy aims to explore eight Trojan asteroids, some potentially in pairs. This ongoing exploration highlights the mission’s commitment to uncovering the solar system’s secrets.

The Legacy of the Name Lucy

Named in honor of the 3.2 million-year-old fossil of a human ancestor discovered in Ethiopia, the Lucy spacecraft also carries cultural significance. Its name derives from the Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” and NASA has incorporated various inspirational messages from notable individuals onto the spacecraft’s plaque.