Who / What
162173 Ryugu is a near-Earth asteroid classified as a potentially hazardous object within the Apollo group. It is approximately 900 meters in diameter and exhibits characteristics of both C-type and B-type asteroids, making it a rare spectral type Cb. The Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa2 visited Ryugu in 2018 to study its composition and collect samples.
Background & History
Discovered in 1999 with the provisional designation 1999 JU3, Ryugu was later officially numbered and named after a magical underwater palace from Japanese folklore. The asteroid is part of the Apollo group, known for crossing Earth's orbit. A key milestone occurred in June 2018 when the Hayabusa2 spacecraft rendezvoused with Ryugu, conducting extensive surveys and sample collection.
Why Notable
Ryugu is notable for being a target of the Hayabusa2 mission, which aimed to uncover insights into the early solar system and the origins of life. Its dark, carbon-rich composition provides valuable information about primordial materials. The successful sample return mission has contributed significantly to planetary science and asteroid research.
In the News
Recent attention on Ryugu stems from the Hayabusa2 mission's successful return of samples to Earth in December 2020. Analysis of these samples continues to reveal details about the asteroid's composition and history. Ongoing studies highlight Ryugu's role in understanding water and organic materials in the solar system.