Astronomers spot skyscraper-sized asteroid in fast orbit

Astronomers have reportedly discovered a skyscraper-sized asteroid moving through our solar system at near-record speeds.

The asteroid, named 2025 SC79, orbits the sun once every 128 days, making it the second-fastest asteroid known to orbit the solar system.

It was first observed by Carnegie Science astronomer Scott S. Sheppard on September 27, according to a Carnegie Science release.

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The asteroid is the second known object to have an orbit inside Venus, the statement said. It crosses the orbit of Mercury during its 128-day journey around the sun.

“Many asteroids in the solar system inhabit one of two space rock belts, but disruptions can send objects into closer orbits where they may be harder to spot,” Sheppard said. “Understanding how they got to these places can help us protect our planet and also learn more about the history of the solar system.”

The celestial body is now moving behind the sun and will be invisible to telescopes for several months.

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Sheppard’s search for so-called “twilight” asteroids helps identify objects that could pose a risk of crashing into Earth, the release said.

The work, partially funded by NASA, uses the Dark Energy Camera on the National Science Foundation’s 4-meter Blanco Telescope to search for “planet-killer” asteroids in the sun’s glare that could pose a danger to Earth.

NSF’s Gemini telescope and Carnegie Science’s Magellan telescopes were used to confirm the observation of 2025 SC79, Carnegie Science said.

The fastest known asteroid was also discovered by Sheppard, who studies objects in the solar system, including moons, dwarf planets and asteroids. and his colleagues in 2021.

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It takes 133 days to orbit the sun.