Skip to content
Vatican Observatory
  • About
    • Overview
    • Team
  • Telescopes
    • Overview
    • Telescope Images
  • Latest
    • Overview
    • Resources
    • Press
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Research
    • Authors
    • Newsletter
    • Tucson Meteor Cameras
  • Podcast
  • Education
    • Overview
    • Resource Center
    • Image Gallery
    • Summer School
    • Books
    • FAQs
    • Software
    • Additional Resources
    • ACME
    • Ambassadors
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Support
    • Overview
    • Donate Now
    • Sacred Space Astronomy
      • View Content
    • Fr. Coyne Fundraiser
    • Bequests / Trusts
    • The Foundation
      • Newsletters
      • Annual Reports
  • Press
  • Specola Vaticana
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Overview
    • Team
  • Telescopes
    • Overview
    • Telescope Images
  • Latest
    • Overview
    • Resources
    • Press
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Research
    • Authors
    • Newsletter
    • Tucson Meteor Cameras
  • Podcast
  • Education
    • Overview
    • Resource Center
    • Image Gallery
    • Summer School
    • Books
    • FAQs
    • Software
    • Additional Resources
    • ACME
    • Ambassadors
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Support
    • Overview
    • Donate Now
    • Sacred Space Astronomy
      • View Content
    • Fr. Coyne Fundraiser
    • Bequests / Trusts
    • The Foundation
      • Newsletters
      • Annual Reports
  • Press
  • Specola Vaticana
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • FAQs

Asteroid 162173 Ryugu from 40 Kilometers

By Robert Trembley  |  25 Jun 2018

Share:
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share via Email
Asteroid Ryugu
Asteroid Ryugu Asteroid Ryugu from 40 km. Credit: JAXA, University of Tokyo, Kochi University, Rikkyo University, Nagoya University, Chiba Institute of Technology, Meiji University, Aizu University, AIST

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Hayabusa2 spacecraft is approaching asteroid 162173 Ryugu. The spacecraft has traveled nearly 3.2 billion km since its launch in December of 2014. The spacecraft and asteroid will meet in interplanetary space 280 million km from the Earth.

Asteroid 162173 Ryugu Orbit Orbit of Asteroid 162173 Ryugu, June 25, 2018. Credit: JPL Small Body Database Browser.

Hayabusa2 on Twitter:

Ryugu seen from between 220 ~ 100 km. Are we seeing the history of the asteroid etched on its surface? https://t.co/cNG1ZGsqlI pic.twitter.com/qqTEozetCV

— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) June 21, 2018

Hayabusa2 will survey the asteroid for 18 months, looking for a suitable location from which to take a sample. A Small Carry-on Impactor (SCI) with an explosive charge will be released by Hayabusa2 while it orbits the asteroid; this will remove the space-weathered surface of the asteroid at the target site to allow and a fresh sample to be collected. The spacecraft will depart the asteroid in December of 2019, and return its samples to Earth in December of 2020.

Hayabusa2 taking a surface sample Artist concept of the Hayabusa2 taking a sample from the surface of asteroid 162173 Ryugu. Credit: JAXA

Hayabusa2 will also deploy four small probes that can “hop” over the surface of the asteroid to take measurements; these probes carry a variety of instruments including: thermometers, cameras, accelerometers, magnetometers, radiometers and IR spectrometers.

Share:
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share via Email

Sacred Space Astronomy

The Vatican Observatory’s official digital community and online magazine.

Become a Member

Recent Posts

The Far Sun – Far Beyond Comprehension (re-run)

By Mr. Christopher Graney  |  2 Jul 2022

The Stuff of Stars

By Robert Trembley  |  1 Jul 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

Exploration above and below

By Deirdre Kelleghan  |  30 Jun 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

In the Sky this Week – June 28, 2022

By Robert Trembley  |  28 Jun 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

Archives

      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
      • December
      • November
      • August
      • June
      • March
      • January
      • November
      • October
      • December
      • November
      • April
      • May
      • January
      • December
      • September
      • May
      • March
      • December
      • November
      • February

More Posts by
Robert Trembley

The Stuff of Stars

By Robert Trembley  |  1 Jul 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

In the Sky this Week – June 28, 2022

By Robert Trembley  |  28 Jun 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

2023 Vatican Observatory Summer School

By Robert Trembley  |  22 Jun 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

In the Sky this Week – June 21, 2022

By Robert Trembley  |  21 Jun 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

From the Backyard (After a 20 Minute Drive): Embracing Failure – Embracing Grace.

By Fr. James Kurzynski, Robert Trembley  |  20 Jun 2022  |  Sacred Space Astronomy

A Mid-day Solstice

By Mr. Christopher Graney, Robert Trembley  |  18 Jun 2022

View More

Newsletter

Upcoming astronomical events, scientific breakthroughs, philosophical reflections… just a few reasons to subscribe to our newsletter!

  • *
Vatican Observatory
  • About
  • Telescopes
  • Latest
  • Podcast
  • Education
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Support
  • Press
  • Specola Vaticana
  • Contact
Privacy Policy  |   Cookie Policy  |   Disclosure Statement

Podcast:

  • Apple Podcasts Listen onApple Podcasts
  • Spotify Listen onSpotify
  • Google Podcasts Listen onGoogle Podcasts
  • Stitcher Listen onStitcher
  • Amazon Alexa Listen onAmazon Alexa
  • TuneIn Listen onTuneIn
Made by Longbeard