2026-08-28 · space
Galileo's Discovery of Asteroid Moon Dactyl
On August 28, 1993, NASA's Galileo spacecraft made a groundbreaking visit to asteroid 243 Ida, marking a significant milestone in our understanding of celestial bodies. During this flyby, it captured stunning images that revealed the presence of a moon orbiting Ida, which was later named Dactyl. This discovery provided scientists with valuable insights into the dynamics of asteroid systems and opened up new avenues for research in planetary science.
Fun fact. Dactyl, the moon of 243 Ida, is only about 1.4 kilometers wide.