In a significant astronomical discovery, scientists have identified a new asteroid, designated 2025 SC79, which is the second-fastest asteroid in our solar system. This asteroid, which travels within the orbit of Venus, completes its orbit around the Sun in merely 128 days. The announcement from Carnegie Science highlights that 2025 SC79 measures approximately 0.4 miles (700 meters) in length, comparable to a skyscraper.
Discovered by astronomer Scott Sheppard on September 27, this asteroid”s location in the Sun”s glare adds to its significance. Although 2025 SC79 is not expected to make any close approaches to Earth in the near future, Sheppard emphasizes the importance of detecting such hidden asteroids for planetary protection. “The most dangerous asteroids are the most difficult to detect,” he stated. “Most asteroid research finds these objects in the dark of night, where they are easiest to spot. But asteroids that lurk near the sun can only be observed during twilight—when the sun is just about to rise or set. If these “twilight” asteroids approach Earth, they could pose serious impact hazards.”
Sheppard and his research team specialize in the challenging task of locating these “twilight” asteroids. They previously discovered the fastest-known asteroid, 2021 PH27, which orbits the Sun in just 113 days. Their ongoing research is supported by funding from NASA and employs the powerful Dark Energy Camera at the National Science Foundation”s (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope in Chile. The existence of 2025 SC79 was further validated by observations from NSF”s Gemini Observatory and the twin Magellan Telescopes operated by Carnegie Science.
The discovery was communicated to the broader astronomy community through a circular issued by the Minor Planet Centre on October 15. As 2025 SC79 is currently positioned behind the Sun from Earth”s viewpoint, follow-up observations will be delayed for several months. Future studies will seek to uncover details regarding the asteroid”s composition, its ability to withstand the intense heat of its proximity to the Sun, and its potential origins.
According to Carnegie officials, examining this type of asteroid is crucial for understanding how gravitational influences from planets can alter their orbits over time. “Understanding how they arrived at these locations can help us protect our planet and also help us learn more about solar system history,” Sheppard noted.
Currently, astronomers closely monitor various asteroids, particularly those classified as “potentially hazardous,” which statistically present a greater concern. Despite extensive searches over the years, no imminent threats to Earth have been identified. Nonetheless, NASA and a network of telescopes continue to conduct vigilant monitoring, underscoring the necessity of this work, especially in the context of ongoing government funding challenges.
The discovery of 2025 SC79 serves as a potent reminder of the dynamic nature of our solar system, where unseen dangers may exist in areas that are not easily observable, such as the glare of our own Sun. Although this newly discovered asteroid does not pose a threat, it reinforces the critical need for continuous sky surveys aimed at safeguarding our planet.
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