Astronomers have discovered a new asteroid, 2025 SC79, that races around the Sun in just 128 days, making it the second-fastest orbiting asteroid ever observed. Found by astronomer Scott S. Sheppard of Carnegie Science, the asteroid moves inside the orbit of Venus and even crosses Mercury’s path, an area where very few such objects have ever been spotted. What makes this discovery remarkable is not just the speed of its orbit, but the challenge in detecting it since it hides in the glare of the Sun. The finding sheds new light on how asteroids move, what dangers they may pose, and how the Solar System continues to evolve.
The discovery of 2025 SC79 and its unusual orbit
The asteroid 2025 SC79 was first observed on 27 September by a team from Carnegie Science using the Dark Energy Camera on the National Science Foundation’s Blanco 4-metre telescope. It was hiding close to the Sun’s light, a region where telescopes often struggle to detect faint objects. What makes this asteroid special is its extremely short orbital period, just 128 days. Only one other asteroid in our Solar System moves faster, taking 113 days to circle the Sun.
The asteroid’s orbit places it within the path of Venus and crossing Mercury’s orbit. This means it moves closer to the Sun than almost any other known object of its kind. Astronomers confirmed the sighting with the NSF’s Gemini telescope and Carnegie’s Magellan telescopes.
Discoveries like this reveal how dynamic and unpredictable our Solar System can be. Many asteroids stay safely in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. But sometimes, gravitational nudges called perturbations send them inward toward the Sun. When that happens, they can enter new orbits, some of which come close enough to Earth to pose risks.
Why these ‘twilight asteroids’ matter for planetary safety
Asteroids that orbit close to the Sun are sometimes called “twilight asteroids.” They get this name because they can only be observed when the Sun is just rising or setting. During this short window, the Sun’s glare weakens enough for telescopes to detect objects hiding near it.
According to Sheppard, these twilight asteroids are among the most dangerous to our planet. Because they stay close to the Sun, most asteroid-tracking systems miss them. If one of these objects happened to be on a collision course with Earth, it might be detected too late. That’s why ongoing searches funded by NASA and other agencies aim to find and monitor such objects before they pose any threat.
The search for 2025 SC79 used specialised instruments capable of peering into these bright areas of the sky. Detecting an asteroid in such conditions is extremely challenging. The success of this discovery shows how much progress has been made in planetary defence research. It also proves that some of the greatest dangers may come from the areas we find hardest to study.
What scientists hope to learn from 2025 SC79
The asteroid’s current position puts it behind the Sun, making it impossible to observe for a few months. Once it becomes visible again, astronomers will study its composition, structure, and movement. Understanding how an object like 2025 SC79 survives so close to the Sun could answer key questions about heat resistance and the materials that make up such asteroids.
Research published in Carnegie Science notes that studying asteroids with unusual orbits can help scientists learn how the Solar System was shaped. The gravitational pull of planets and the Sun can shift asteroids from one orbit to another over millions of years. By tracing these changes, researchers can build models to understand the early stages of planetary formation.
There is also practical value. Knowing the composition of near-Sun asteroids can help space agencies develop strategies to deflect or break up potential impactors. If 2025 SC79 or similar objects were ever to pose a threat, scientists would already have some understanding of their makeup and behaviour.
What this discovery means for the future of space observation
The discovery of 2025 SC79 is another reminder that our Solar System is far from static. There are still many unknowns, especially in the regions close to the Sun where standard telescopes cannot see clearly. Each new find adds a piece to the puzzle, showing how asteroids move, interact, and sometimes pose hazards to Earth.
Future missions are expected to use advanced cameras and orbiting telescopes to observe these hidden zones more regularly. Some of these instruments may even operate from space-based platforms to avoid the limitations of Earth’s atmosphere. As technology improves, scientists hope to build a complete map of all objects that could come close to our planet.
The ongoing search for “planet killer” asteroids, those large enough to cause major damage if they hit Earth is a critical part of planetary defence. Every discovery, whether it poses a direct threat or not, helps refine our systems for early detection. It also teaches us about the history and balance of forces that keep our Solar System stable.
The finding of 2025 SC79 reminds us how much there is still to learn. Even in our own cosmic neighbourhood, hidden objects are waiting to be discovered. This asteroid, spinning close to the Sun on its 128-day journey, shows how vast and complex our Solar System truly is.
As scientists continue their search for twilight asteroids, each new object adds a layer of understanding. These discoveries don’t just tell us where danger might come from; they also reveal the beauty and mystery of the system we live in. Watching the skies is not only about safety. It’s about curiosity, discovery, and the desire to know how our world fits into the grand design of the cosmos.
Also Read | Earth on high alert: Solar storm that devastated Venus could hit us next
The discovery of 2025 SC79 and its unusual orbit
The asteroid 2025 SC79 was first observed on 27 September by a team from Carnegie Science using the Dark Energy Camera on the National Science Foundation’s Blanco 4-metre telescope. It was hiding close to the Sun’s light, a region where telescopes often struggle to detect faint objects. What makes this asteroid special is its extremely short orbital period, just 128 days. Only one other asteroid in our Solar System moves faster, taking 113 days to circle the Sun.
The asteroid’s orbit places it within the path of Venus and crossing Mercury’s orbit. This means it moves closer to the Sun than almost any other known object of its kind. Astronomers confirmed the sighting with the NSF’s Gemini telescope and Carnegie’s Magellan telescopes.
Discoveries like this reveal how dynamic and unpredictable our Solar System can be. Many asteroids stay safely in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. But sometimes, gravitational nudges called perturbations send them inward toward the Sun. When that happens, they can enter new orbits, some of which come close enough to Earth to pose risks.
Why these ‘twilight asteroids’ matter for planetary safety
Asteroids that orbit close to the Sun are sometimes called “twilight asteroids.” They get this name because they can only be observed when the Sun is just rising or setting. During this short window, the Sun’s glare weakens enough for telescopes to detect objects hiding near it.
According to Sheppard, these twilight asteroids are among the most dangerous to our planet. Because they stay close to the Sun, most asteroid-tracking systems miss them. If one of these objects happened to be on a collision course with Earth, it might be detected too late. That’s why ongoing searches funded by NASA and other agencies aim to find and monitor such objects before they pose any threat.
The search for 2025 SC79 used specialised instruments capable of peering into these bright areas of the sky. Detecting an asteroid in such conditions is extremely challenging. The success of this discovery shows how much progress has been made in planetary defence research. It also proves that some of the greatest dangers may come from the areas we find hardest to study.
What scientists hope to learn from 2025 SC79
The asteroid’s current position puts it behind the Sun, making it impossible to observe for a few months. Once it becomes visible again, astronomers will study its composition, structure, and movement. Understanding how an object like 2025 SC79 survives so close to the Sun could answer key questions about heat resistance and the materials that make up such asteroids.
Research published in Carnegie Science notes that studying asteroids with unusual orbits can help scientists learn how the Solar System was shaped. The gravitational pull of planets and the Sun can shift asteroids from one orbit to another over millions of years. By tracing these changes, researchers can build models to understand the early stages of planetary formation.
There is also practical value. Knowing the composition of near-Sun asteroids can help space agencies develop strategies to deflect or break up potential impactors. If 2025 SC79 or similar objects were ever to pose a threat, scientists would already have some understanding of their makeup and behaviour.
What this discovery means for the future of space observation
The discovery of 2025 SC79 is another reminder that our Solar System is far from static. There are still many unknowns, especially in the regions close to the Sun where standard telescopes cannot see clearly. Each new find adds a piece to the puzzle, showing how asteroids move, interact, and sometimes pose hazards to Earth.
Future missions are expected to use advanced cameras and orbiting telescopes to observe these hidden zones more regularly. Some of these instruments may even operate from space-based platforms to avoid the limitations of Earth’s atmosphere. As technology improves, scientists hope to build a complete map of all objects that could come close to our planet.
The ongoing search for “planet killer” asteroids, those large enough to cause major damage if they hit Earth is a critical part of planetary defence. Every discovery, whether it poses a direct threat or not, helps refine our systems for early detection. It also teaches us about the history and balance of forces that keep our Solar System stable.
The finding of 2025 SC79 reminds us how much there is still to learn. Even in our own cosmic neighbourhood, hidden objects are waiting to be discovered. This asteroid, spinning close to the Sun on its 128-day journey, shows how vast and complex our Solar System truly is.
As scientists continue their search for twilight asteroids, each new object adds a layer of understanding. These discoveries don’t just tell us where danger might come from; they also reveal the beauty and mystery of the system we live in. Watching the skies is not only about safety. It’s about curiosity, discovery, and the desire to know how our world fits into the grand design of the cosmos.
Also Read | Earth on high alert: Solar storm that devastated Venus could hit us next
You may also like
Top doctor reveals why Trump suddenly got an MRI scan: 'Undisclosed medical problems...'
Grigor Dimitrov makes triumphant comeback 112 days after quitting Wimbledon match in tears
Woman 'lucky to be alive' after magpie attack leaves her with fractured neck
'Perfectly cast' Marvel movie with top rating finally confirms free streaming date
UK to spend £150m on underwater drones as Russia tensions mount
