Stunning Discovery: Astronomers Unveil Skyscraper-Sized Asteroid Racing Through Sun’s Glare!

Astronomers have recently found a massive asteroid, 2025 SC79, that measures about 2,300 feet wide, equivalent to a skyscraper! This asteroid is racing around the sun, completing an orbit every 128 days, making it one of the fastest asteroids we know of. It also follows a unique path, moving entirely within Venus’ orbit and even crossing Mercury’s orbit at times.

Dr. Scott Sheppard, from the Carnegie Institute, first discovered 2025 SC79 while it was hidden behind the sun’s glare. He noted that spotting such asteroids is vital for safety, as they can pose risks to Earth unnoticed. “The most dangerous asteroids are the most difficult to detect,” Sheppard explained. Many asteroids are found during nighttime when they’re easier to see. However, those near the sun, known as “twilight” asteroids, can be missed until they come closer.

For perspective, consider the “city-killer” asteroid 2024 YR4, which is about 180 feet wide. If it struck Earth, it could unleash energy 500 times greater than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Thankfully, neither asteroid is currently on a collision course with our planet.

Using the Dark Energy Camera on a National Science Foundation telescope, Sheppard confirmed the finding of 2025 SC79 with help from other telescopes as well. Notably, this is the second fast asteroid discovered by Sheppard’s team, following 2021 PH27, which orbits the sun in just 113 days.

Currently, 2025 SC79’s orbit has taken it behind the sun, so it won’t be visible for the next few months. Researchers plan future observations to gather more insights about this asteroid. Understanding these objects helps astronomers not only keep an eye on potential threats but also piece together the story of our solar system.

Recent studies suggest that many asteroids come from two main belts of space rocks. However, disturbances can push them into closer orbits. According to Sheppard, understanding these changes is crucial. It might help us protect our planet from potential impacts and offer clues about the history of our solar system.

For those curious about the evolving threats from space, the data shows that monitoring such asteroids is becoming increasingly important. Keeping our eyes on the sky might just save us one day!

For more on the importance of asteroid detection, you can read this report from Carnegie Science.

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