We Rate Asteroids

T-9 days for @NASA’s #DARTMission! #Didyouknow the binary asteroid system called Didymos – which means twin in Greek – was discovered on 11 April 1996 by researcher Joseph Montani using Spacewatch at @KittPeakNatObs in Tucson, Arizona? Credit: KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Marenfeld

Some missions often observe other celestial bodies until they reach their main target. Find out what the Stardust spacecraft learned about #asteroid Annefrank before reaching its main target, comet Wild 2. @AstronomyMag: bit.ly/3uawsp8

European Southern Observatory (ESO): Meet the 42: ESO Images Some of the Biggest Asteroids in Our Solar System eso.org/public/news/eso2114/

1/ Using our VLT a team of astronomers have obtained the sharpest and most detailed images yet of the asteroid Kleopatra, a peculiar “dog-bone” asteroid. 🦴 🔗 eso.org/public/news/eso2113/… Credit: @ESO /Vernazza, Marchis et al./MISTRAL algorithm (ONERA/CNRS)

“2021 PH27 gets so close to the Sun that its surface temperature gets to around 900 degrees Fahrenheit at closest approach, hot enough to melt lead,” Sheppard said.

Message from Hayabusa2 Project Manager, Yuichi Tsuda: Hayabusa2 will now ignite the ion engines to begin full-scale orbit control for the Extended Mission. The first goal is asteroid 2001 CC21. So, people of Earth, here we go again.

A large number of particles are confirmed to be in “sample chamber A” inside the collected capsule (~11:10 JST on 12/15). This is thought to be the sample from the first touchdown on Ryugu. The photo looks brown, but our team says “black”! The sample return is a great success!

The sample container inside the re-entry capsule was opened on December 14, and we confirmed black grains thought to be from Ryugu were inside. This is outside the main chambers, and likely particles attached to the sample catcher entrance. (English release available tomorrow)

Samples are on their way for analysis at the Woomera Test Range. @haya2e_jaxa @AusAirForce @DeptDefence #Hayabusa2

OK, what’s on your agenda for today? Why, Elizabeth. It’s OBVIOUSLY watching the Hayabusa2 mission (@haya2e_jaxa) live broadcast of the capsule separation above Earth: 13:30 ~ 16:40 (up to 17:30) JST 23:30 ~ 02:40 EST 04:30 ~ 07:40 GMT Live streams: isas.jaxa.jp/en/outreach/ann…

Heard of the "election day asteroid"? Well, there are in fact a few! Fortunately, none pose a threat, but we thought we'd look into four space rocks making their appearance in time for the US #Election2020! #SpaceSafety🌍🪨

Now that the sample is sealed up in the Sample Return Capsule, I can finally share this video from TAG! This is the view from one of my navigation cameras… pretty intense, huh? #ToBennuAndBack More details: bit.ly/2TFBEhe

Preliminary data show that today's sample collection event went as planned 👍 More details to come once all the data from the event are downlinked to Earth. Thanks, everybody, for following along as we journey #ToBennuAndBack! Next stop: Earth 2023! 🌍

Wow. Today is THE day — NASA's first attempt to collect a piece of an asteroid. I'm feeling ready to get that sample! How are you all feeling? 🤩

Day Sixteen of #PlanetInktober is the Crescent of Asteroid Bennu.