As scientists calibrated the Webb Telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument, it “serendipitously” captured a small passing asteroid with great detail, surprising observers.
The asteroid is said to be the size of Rome’s Coliseum, with a width of about 300 to 650 feet. The object was found orbiting in the solar system’s main asteroid belt, which goes between Mars and Jupiter.
The Webb Telescope was not originally designed to spot new asteroids. They attempted to image main belt asteroid 1998 BC1, which is much larger. But the telescope’s instrument failed to capture the object due to its brightness. Yet, through the failure, scientists captured something even more stunning.
It is believed to be the smallest object captured by the telescope. But the asteroid’s discovery has given scientists hope that the Webb Space Telescope can now be a tool to them find other small asteroids.
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