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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Asteroid Ryugu from the Very Large Telescope

Asteroid Ryugu from the Very Large Telescope
Asteroid Ryugu from the Very Large Telescope Summer 2016 was the last opportunity for Earth-based observers to obtain data on asteroid 162173 Ryugu before the arrival of Hayabusa2. This photo, taken by the FORS2 instrument on the 8.2-meter Antu telescope, was part of a series of observations designed to pin down its rotation period (either 3.8 or 7.6 hours) and pole orientation. More information ESO / VLT / D. Perna and A. Barucci