Science In Action Asteroids, comets and where to find them
Sep 11, 2025
Discover the thrilling plans for the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas and an exciting rendezvous with asteroid Apophis in 2029. Explore the unique characteristics of the small asteroid Donald Johansson from NASA's Lucy mission, and delve into the captivating dynamics of a merging asteroid. Join discussions on diverse spacecraft strategies for capturing cometary data and the implications of these celestial wonders. This podcast reveals the collaborative efforts and scientific significance behind exploring our cosmic neighborhood.
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Lucy’s One-Hour Dress Rehearsal
- Hal Levison describes Lucy's quick test flybys to validate instruments before the long Trojan campaign.
- He recounts an hour-long encounter with bilobed asteroid Donaldjohanson that revealed unexpected surface activity and a smooth, warped neck.
Thermal Forces Drive Surface Motion
- The asteroid's surface motion may result from YORP-driven spin changes that redistribute loose material.
- This shows tiny thermal forces can drive geological activity on low-gravity rubble piles.
Europa Clipper’s Surprise Comet Opportunity
- Hayao Kot explains Europa Clipper's chance to observe interstellar comet 3I/Atlas using a navigation camera and plasma instruments.
- He notes the mission will fly through Atlas's tail about one astronomical unit from the comet and sample ionized species.