The James Webb Space Telescope has observed its smallest cosmic object to date — a previously unknown asteroid about the size of the Colosseum in Rome
Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. A team of European astronomers made the detection of the space rock, which is between 328 and 656 feet long, and located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The doughnut-shaped belt is home to most of the asteroids in the solar system.
1 million of them. Many asteroids still remain unknown — and Webb’s find hints that the powerful infrared telescope may uncover plenty more small, rocky objects that have otherwise escaped detection before. A ‘failed’ observation’s silver lining The calibration images the Webb research team took in their attempt to observe asteroid 1998 BC1 didn’t turn out as expected and were considered a technical failure because the object appeared so bright.
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