Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, A. Rivkin (APL), A. Pagan (STScI)

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope recently captured these images of the asteroid 2024 YR4 using both its NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) and MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument). Data from NIRCam shows reflected light, while the MIRI observations show thermal light. Using the NIRCam data, along with the MIRI data can help researchers understand both the size of the asteroid and how reflective its surface is, which is related to the asteroid’s composition.

The Webb observations better constrain the size of asteroid 2024 YR4 to about 60 meters, or the size of a 15 story building. Researchers also say the asteroid’s surface may be dominated by rocks that are maybe fist-sized or larger.

Asteroid 2024 YR4 is smallest object targeted by Webb to date, and these observations have provided valuable insight into how Webb can be used to study other objects the size of 2024 YR4, including the next one that might be heading our way.

Provider: Space Telescope Science Institute

Image Source: https://webbtelescope.org/contents/media/images/01JQSF5C4CGVMCS3EV9YX6CQAR

Curator: STScI, Baltimore, MD, United States

Image Use Policy: https://www.stsci.edu/copyright