Cosmic Conjoined Twins, Caught on Camera
New imagery from Hayabusa2 reveals that asteroid Torifune is actually a 'contact binary' consisting of two conjoined space rocks.
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The brief
The Hayabusa2 mission has successfully completed a flyby of asteroid Torifune. Imagery captured during the mission shows that the asteroid is a peanut-shaped object formed by two conjoined space rocks.
Coverage from Smithsonian Magazine and Universe Today identifies this structure as a 'contact binary.' Yahoo reports that both Japan and China have recently flown past asteroids. Future attention remains on the data gathered from the Hayabusa2 flyby of Torifune.
Synthesized by Archynetys from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 1h ago.
Quick answers
What is asteroid Torifune?
It is an asteroid recently visited by the Hayabusa2 mission.
What is a contact binary?
According to Smithsonian Magazine, it is a peanut-shaped object formed by two conjoined space rocks.
Which nations were involved in recent asteroid flybys?
Yahoo reports that Japan and China have both flown past asteroids.
Coverage (4)
- Japan and China just flew past asteroids. Here's what they saw. Yahoo · 1d ago
- New Images Reveal That This Asteroid Is Actually Two Conjoined Space Rocks That Form a Peanut-Shaped Object Called a 'Contact Binary' Smithsonian Magazine · 1d ago
- Torifune from Hayabusa2 The Planetary Society · 1d ago
- Another Success for Hayabusa 2 as it Completes a Flyby of Asteroid Torifune Universe Today · 1d ago
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