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Us-Asteroid Streak
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Us-Asteroid Streak
This 06 April 1994 image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope shows stars that lie near the center of our galaxy some 25, 000 light-years distant. But one object, the blue curved streak (Upper-R), is something much closer. An uncatalogued, mile-wide bit of rocky debris orbiting the Sun only light-minutes away strayed into the cameras field while the image was being exposed. This and about a hundred other interlopers have been found by Jet Propulsion Laboratory astronomers who have systematically searched the HST archive for these nearby objects. Their analysis indicates this asteroids orbit could cross Mars path. Seen briefly by HST, these asteroids are too small and faint to track from the ground long enough for precise orbits to be determined. AFP PHOTO NASA/HUBBLE HERITAGE TEAM / AFP PHOTO / NASA
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This photo print, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope on 6th April 1994, transports us to the heart of our galaxy, some 25,000 light-years away. Amidst a sea of stars lies an intriguing anomaly - a striking blue curved streak in the upper right corner. However, this object is not what it seems at first glance. Upon closer inspection, scientists discovered that this enigmatic streak is actually a mile-wide piece of rocky debris orbiting the Sun just minutes away from Earth. Surprisingly uncatalogued until now, this interloper found its way into the camera's field while the image was being exposed. Jet Propulsion Laboratory astronomers diligently combed through the HST archive and uncovered approximately one hundred similar nearby objects like this one. Further analysis revealed that this particular asteroid's orbit has the potential to intersect with Mars' path. Unfortunately, due to their small size and faintness, these asteroids are challenging to track for extended periods from ground-based observatories. Hence why they were briefly seen by HST but remain elusive for precise orbital determination. This extraordinary photograph serves as a testament to humanity's insatiable curiosity about space and our relentless pursuit of knowledge beyond our planet's boundaries. It reminds us that even within such vast cosmic landscapes lie hidden treasures waiting to be discovered – fragments of celestial bodies offering insights into our own existence and potentially shaping future explorations beyond Earth's realm.
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