Trending Now - Astronomers Discover Asteroid Rotating at Unprecedented Speed

WHO:

Dmitrii Vavilov, astronomer from the University of Washington in Seattle

Vera C. Rubin Observatory, Chile

WHAT:

Astronomers discovered a massive asteroid, cataloged as 2025 MN45, spinning at an unprecedented speed.

The asteroid has a diameter of 710 meters.

The asteroid completes a full rotation in just 1.9 minutes.

The typical rotation speed for large asteroids is measured in hours, with a safe threshold of approximately 2.2 hours.

The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

WHERE:

The discovery was made at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile.

WHEN:

The observations occurred in late April and early May of 2025.

The study was presented at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Texas.

WHY:

The discovery raises questions about the fundamental limits of asteroid rotation and the material composition of asteroids.

HOW:

The speed of rotation was measured using lightcurve analysis, which tracks changes in brightness as the asteroid rotates.

The study suggests that 2025 MN45 is likely made of solid rock or possibly metal, challenging previous assumptions about its composition.

(UPDATED March 22, 2026 01:41 UTC)

Astronomers at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile have made a groundbreaking discovery of a massive asteroid, cataloged as 2025 MN45, which spins at an unprecedented speed, completing a full rotation in just 1.9 minutes. This asteroid, measuring 710 meters in diameter, challenges previous assumptions about asteroid composition, as the study suggests it is likely made of solid rock or possibly metal. The findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, raise intriguing questions about the fundamental limits of asteroid rotation and were presented at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Texas.