Japan’s space agency (JAXA) has successfully landed its MINERVA-II1 rovers on the surface of an asteroid. And now, the first photos have been sent back to Earth. They let us take a peek at the surface of an asteroid and at its surroundings, and it’s something really awe-inspiring to see.
The MINERVA-II1 consists of two probes, named simply Rover-1A and Rover-1B. They were dispatched from Hayabusa-2 spacecraft and they successfully landed on the asteroid Ryugu on Friday, 21 September. JAXA has confirmed that both rovers are in good condition and that at least one of them is moving on the asteroid surface. Both probes are collecting and transmitting data and images.
This is a picture from MINERVA-II1. The color photo was captured by Rover-1A on September 21 around 13:08 JST, immediately after separation from the spacecraft. Hayabusa2 is top and Ryugu's surface is below. The image is blurred because the rover is spinning. #asteroidlanding pic.twitter.com/CeeI5ZjgmM
— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) September 22, 2018
Photo taken by Rover-1B on Sept 21 at ~13:07 JST. It was captured just after separation from the spacecraft. Ryugu's surface is in the lower right. The misty top left region is due to the reflection of sunlight. 1B seems to rotate slowly after separation, minimising image blur. pic.twitter.com/P71gsC9VNI
— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) September 22, 2018
This dynamic photo was captured by Rover-1A on September 22 at around 11:44 JST. It was taken on Ryugu's surface during a hop. The left-half is the surface of Ryugu, while the white region on the right is due to sunlight. (Hayabusa2 Project) pic.twitter.com/IQLsFd4gJu
— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) September 22, 2018
JAXA has made history by landing MINERVA-II1, because it’s the world’s first rover to land on the surface of an asteroid and capture photos of its surface. In other words, MINERVA-II1 is “the world’s first man-made object to explore movement on an asteroid surface.” Also, as JAXA explains, the rovers can take photos in color.
For most of us, it’s spectacular enough to see the photos taken at a distant asteroid, but the BBC writes about the significance of this mission. Studying asteroids could tell us more about the formation of the Solar System. And according to the same source, studying the asteroid Ryugu could provide us with more information about the formation of our own planet.
I find it spectacular to see images like this. First of all, because of their vast scientific significance, which is certainly an awe-inspiring thing to think about. But also because they spark my imagination and make my mind wander all the way to a distant asteroid. And of course, I can’t help but think of the Little Prince’s Asteroid B 612 for a moment, too.
[via Light Stalking, BBC]
