NASA's spacecraft Lucy is scheduled to return to Earth on Sunday, Oct. 16, as part of its 12-year mission to visit a record number of asteroids in space. The event will be broadcast live online.
Observations of Lucy will begin being live-streamed from Italy by the Virtual Telescope Project 2.0 at 7:00 PM EDT (23:00 GMT). Here, astronomy fans can access the stream without cost.
Gianluca Masi, an Italian astronomer who also served as the project's founder, said to Space.com that the team is delighted to share this thrilling moment of Lucy's fly-by with the rest of the world.
"It will be possible for our viewers to spot something made by humans on its journey of discovery. This spacecraft will help us understand the origin of our solar system by visiting asteroids," Masi stated.
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Lucy's Fly-By
Lucy will make a quick stop at the planet to get a gravitational boost that will catapult it into a new orbit in order to get it ready for its journey to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids, which have never been explored before. The return trip will take place this Oct. 16, which is the same day that marks the first anniversary of Lucy's debut in 2021.
Lucy has come closer to Earth by approaching it from the sun's direction, where it cannot be seen. The spacecraft will, however, pass over the terminator line on Sunday at 6:55 AM EDT (1055 GMT), which is the line that divides night and day on Earth.
On the other hand, it will continue to be lighted by the sun until 7:02 AM EDT (1102 GMT). At that time, it will be momentarily visible with the naked eye from North Western Australia, Timor-Leste, and portions of Indonesia.
After making its closest approach at 7:04 AM EDT (1104 GMT), Lucy will pass into the shadow of Earth and vanish; it will reappear at 7:26 AM EDT (1126 GMT). From this vantage point, Lucy will continue to be visible via a telescope for anywhere between 12 and 24 hours. Check the NASA Horizon System app to get the exact coordinates, and make sure to have clear viewing conditions.
It is at this stage of Lucy's visit to Earth that the Virtual Telescope Project 2.0 will broadcast its view, permitting skywatchers not located in favorable areas, lacking equipment, or simply not keen to endure the chilly October weather to watch Lucy pass the planet.
The Lucy Mission
In two years, Lucy will make another visit to Earth to get a second gravity assist and continue its journey toward six other Trojan asteroids Leucus, Orus, Eurybates, and Queta, as well as Polymele and its as-yet-unnamed satellite companion.
Lucy will return to Earth in the year 2030 for a third gravity assist, which will send it hurtling into an impact with the Patroclus-Menoetius binary asteroid pair.
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Written by Trisha Kae Andrada
