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Hidden asteroid 2025 SC79 discovered: a fast-moving, mysterious rock near the Sun
Mention the entire keyword once (e.g., The discovery of asteroid 2025 SC79 shocked the scientific community . This is asteroid 2025 SC79 , a space rock that had been invisible to ground-based telescopes because of the intense sunlight. Its discovery has revived interest in so-called “twilight” asteroids , those that orbit so close to the Sun that they can only be detected for brief moments during sunrise or sunset.
The discovery was made by Scott S. Sheppard , an astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. Using the powerful Dark Energy Camera on the 4-meter Blanco telescope, Sheppard observed a small point of light moving anomalously among the reflections of the Sun. This point turned out to be a rock approximately 700 meters in diameter , orbiting Venus at high speed.
An asteroid that challenges the Sun
What makes 2025 SC79 unique is not only its size, but its extraordinary proximity to the Sun. It belongs to the Atira group of asteroids , a very small group of celestial bodies whose orbit remains entirely within Earth's path. To date, only 39 asteroids of this type have been identified, and 2025 SC79 became the newest member.
This object completes a orbit around the Sun every 128 days , crossing the orbits of Mercury and Venus. This speed places it among the fastest known asteroids in the solar system . Only two similar objects surpass its record, with "years" of just 115 days.
Its proximity to the sun also means extreme temperatures , capable of melting most common metals on Earth. However, the asteroid remains intact, intriguing astronomers and raising new questions about its composition. Analyzing its constituent materials could reveal how some rocks manage to survive so close to the Sun.
An uncertain origin and a crucial scientific mission
Early simulations suggest that 2025 SC79 may have broken away from the main asteroid belt , located between Mars and Jupiter, before being pulled into the inner solar system by the planets' gravitational forces. If this hypothesis is confirmed, studying it would provide valuable insight into the dynamic processes that move space rocks from stable zones to regions close to the Sun.
The discovery was no accident. Sheppard is part of an observation program dedicated to identifying asteroids that are potentially hazardous to Earth . These objects, hidden in the glare of the Sun, represent an immense technical challenge: they can only be observed during the brief twilight interval when the Sun's light diminishes enough for cameras to capture their silhouettes.
“ The most dangerous asteroids are the hardest to detect ,” Sheppard explained in a statement. “Those lurking close to the Sun can only be seen during twilight, and if any of them were to come too close to Earth, they could pose a real impact risk.”
Risks and scientific value of the discovery
Although asteroid 2025 SC79 does not pose an immediate threat to Earth, its discovery reinforces the need to improve observation systems in regions close to the Sun. If a rock of its size were to impact, it would cause continental damage.
Therefore, this discovery helps prevent future risks and better understand the behavior of potentially hazardous objects (NEOs) .
This discovery underscores the need to expand detection programs to regions closer to the Sun , a territory historically unexplored due to technical limitations. Thanks to more sensitive instruments and innovative strategies, researchers are beginning to map this unknown region of the solar system.
In Sheppard's own words:
“Understanding how these asteroids got here can help us protect our planet and, at the same time, reconstruct the early history of the solar system.”
The origin of asteroid 2025 SC79 and its potential impact. With each new discovery, astronomers not only expand the catalog of known celestial bodies, but also their understanding of the risks and wonders that lurk at the luminous boundary between Earth and the Sun.
Looking to the future
Astronomers plan new observations when asteroid 2025 SC79 reappears behind the Sun. Studying them could reveal clues about the processes of planetary formation and the Sun's role in the evolution of the inner solar system. Each new detection expands our understanding of the cosmos and brings us closer to better protecting our planet.
