Scientists
at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico and the Green Bank
Observatory (GBO) in West Virginia have both independently confirmed the
existence of a binary asteroid system. Known as 2017 YE5, the asteroids
made their closest approach to Earth on June 21, coming within 6
million kilometres (3.7 million miles) of Earth.
First spotted
by the Cadi Ayyad University Morocco Oukaimeden Sky Survey in December
2017, the asteroids were initially assumed to be a single asteroid.
However after follow-up observations by NASA's Goldstone Solar System
Radar, this assumption appeared to be flawed.
Through
observations from Arecibo, GBO and Goldstone, it was found that the two
objects revolved around each other once every 20 to 24 hours. In
addition, data indicated that the two rocks did not reflect as much
sunlight as a typical rocky asteroid meaning 2017 YE5 is likely dark
like charcoal.
Further observation also revealed a striking
difference in the radar reflectivity of the two objects. This difference
hinted that the two objects may have different densities, compositions
near their surfaces, or different surface roughnesses.
Read the full press release at: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7187
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Friday, July 27, 2018
Rare Binary Asteroid Discovered
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