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Japan Releases Snowman-Like Asteroid Image After Flyby
Japan's Hayabusa2 probe has captured unprecedented close-up images of near-Earth asteroid Torifune. The images reveal the asteroid has a distinctive snowman-like shape, formed by two connected lobes. This mission demonstrated the probe's capability to potentially deflect hazardous asteroids. The detailed imagery provides valuable scientific data on the asteroid's size, shape, and surface features. Scientists expressed excitement, with one remarking on the unexpected clarity of the rock details. Hayabusa2 flew at high speed, passing very close to the asteroid. The exact distance of the flyby is still under analysis. This encounter could represent one of the closest near-Earth asteroid flybys on record. Furthermore, the probe successfully collected data on its distance from Torifune. It also gathered information concerning the potential presence of water on the asteroid.