Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Astronomers have discovered that the next target for Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft, the asteroid 1998 KY26, is almost three times smaller than previously thought, and spinning much faster than expected. This study was conducted using ESO’s Very Large Telescope, and its results offer important new information for the upcoming mission, just six years out from the spacecraft’s encounter with this tiny asteroid.
For more details, check: eso.org/public/news/eso2515/.
Members of the media can request a version of this video without the overset text by emailing press@eso.org.
Credits:
ESO
Directed by: Angelos Tsaousis and Martin Wallner.
Editing: Angelos Tsaousis.
Web and technical support: Raquel Yumi Shida and E. Arango.
Written by: Amy Briggs and Sean Bromilow.
Music: Stellardrone – Between The Rings.
Footage and photos: ESO, Luis Calçada, Angelos Tsaousis, Martin Kornmesser, P. Das et al., K. Noll et al., Gerhard Hüdepohl (atacamaphoto.com/), Daniele Gasparri (www.astroatacama.com)
Scientific consultant: Paola Amico, Mariya Lyubenova.
This video is available for download in various formats on: eso.org/public/videos/eso2515a
Astronomers have discovered that the next target for Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft, the asteroid 1998 KY26, is almost three times smaller than previously thought, and spinning much faster than expected. This study was conducted using ESO’s Very Large Telescope, and its results offer important new information for the upcoming mission, just six years out from the spacecraft’s encounter with this tiny asteroid.
For more details, check: eso.org/public/news/eso2515/.
Members of the media can request a version of this video without the overset text by emailing press@eso.org.
Credits:
ESO
Directed by: Angelos Tsaousis and Martin Wallner.
Editing: Angelos Tsaousis.
Web and technical support: Raquel Yumi Shida and E. Arango.
Written by: Amy Briggs and Sean Bromilow.
Music: Stellardrone – Between The Rings.
Footage and photos: ESO, Luis Calçada, Angelos Tsaousis, Martin Kornmesser, P. Das et al., K. Noll et al., Gerhard Hüdepohl (atacamaphoto.com/), Daniele Gasparri (www.astroatacama.com)
Scientific consultant: Paola Amico, Mariya Lyubenova.
This video is available for download in various formats on: eso.org/public/videos/eso2515a
