The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) released an unprecedented image of the asteroid Torifune captured during a flyby at just 18,000 kilometers from its surface. The image reveals a unique, elongated shape with two distinct lobes, resembling a dumbbell. Scientists speculate this could indicate a 'binary star' structure, though this term is typically used for stellar systems. The data was collected by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft, which approached the asteroid at nearly 18,000 km/h. Previous ground-based observations suggested Torifune was an elongated asteroid approximately 450 meters in diameter, but the high-resolution images provide the first detailed look at its surface. JAXA noted that these images represent only part of the data gathered during the encounter, with further scientific findings expected over the coming weeks.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a scientific discovery related to an asteroid, without any overt ideological or political framing. It focuses on technical details, scientific terminology, and the implications of the findings for understanding asteroid evolution. There is no indication






