Yearbook of Astronomy 2023 by Brian Jones;

Author:Brian Jones;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: SCIENCE / Astronomy
Publisher: Casemate Publishers & Book Distributors, LLC
Published: 2022-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

The orbital path of the Lucy spacecraft (green) is shown in a frame of reference where Jupiter remains stationary, giving the trajectory its pretzel-like shape. After launch in October 2021, Lucy has two close Earth fl ybys before encountering its Trojan targets. (NASA/Southwest Research Institute)

Lucy is due for launch in October 2021 and will use two gravity assists of Earth to increase heliocentric velocity enabling Lucy to reach the orbit of Jupiter. On the way to the Trojans at the leading or L4 location the spacecraft will perform a fl yby of the 4 kilometre diameter asteroid 52246 Donaldjohanson in 2025. Wait a minute. Back in 1974 Donald Johanson discovered Lucy and in 2025 Lucy will make discoveries at Donaldjohanson. Now that’s comedy – or great planning!

In 2027 Lucy will arrive at the L4 location with the “Greek” camp of asteroids as most are named after Greek heroes. She will visit two asteroids that year followed by Eurybates and Polymele a month later. 2028 will see the fl yby of Leucus and Orus, after which there will be a change of course. Lucy will return to the Earth for another gravity assist to send her onward to the L5 or trailing camp of Trojans in 2033 for a fl yby of the binary asteroid Patroclus and Menoetius. This should be a fascinating mission to follow. The mission website can be found here: lucy.swri.edu

Psyche: Mission to a Metal World

Discovered by the Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis in 1852, asteroid Psyche lies in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, recent observations indicating it has an average diameter of 226 kilometres. Unlike most other asteroids, which are rocky or icy bodies, scientists believe the M-type (metallic) asteroid Psyche is comprised mostly of nickel and iron, rather like the Earth’s core. A NASA mission of the same name is due to launch in August 2022. Using Mars for a gravity assist in May 2023 (See article “Gravity Assists – Something for Nothing?” in the Yearbook of Astronomy 2022). The spacecraft should arrive at Psyche in late January 2026 and orbit the asteroid for almost two Earth years. The initial orbit would be about 700 kilometres above the surface of the asteroid, gradually being reduced to about 85 kilometres. This will be the fi rst metallic asteroid ever to be explored. The mission can be followed using the website psyche.asu.edu

An artist’s impression of the Psyche spacecraft, due for launch in 2022 toward a metallic asteroid of the same name. (NASA)

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