A Rare Astronomical Phenomenon: The Eclipse of Asteroids

Meet Oliver O’Brien, a determined junior at the University of Maryland, studying astronomy and anthropology. Along with fellow students, they recently observed a rare event involving two asteroids, 617 Patroclus and Menoetius, situated in Jupiter’s enigmatic Trojan asteroid belt—a region known as the 'fossils' of our solar system’s origins.

When the faint light from Patroclus dimmed on O’Brien’s screen, it marked an extraordinary moment: the asteroids were engaging in a ‘mutual event’—passing in front of or eclipsing each other from our vantage point. “These two asteroids orbit one another every 103 hours, and capturing such events was a remarkable challenge within our limited timeframe,” O’Brien recalled.

Contributing to NASA’s Mission to Unlock the Solar System's Secrets

This wasn’t just another classroom assignment. The data collected was pivotal for NASA’s billion-dollar Lucy mission, aimed to study the Trojans more closely during its flyby in 2033. By analyzing their brightness and orbital details, O’Brien and the team aimed to illuminate the spacecraft’s path through this cosmic expanse.

O’Brien noted, “We discovered discrepancies in brightness and timing, hinting at variables we had yet to uncover. Perhaps there are unseen complexities in Patroclus and Menoetius that affect their interactions.” This mystery only fuels their desire to explore further.

Overcoming Challenges to Contribute to Cosmic Knowledge

The observing nights were fraught with technical snafus—images often resembled 'giant doughnut shapes’ instead of the expected points of light. Yet, rather than back down, O’Brien rose to the challenge. “Their perseverance through countless adjustments showed true dedication,” commended O’Brien's advisor, Melissa Hayes-Gehrke, a principal lecturer in astronomy.

O’Brien turned these challenges into triumphs, embracing the research that could potentially unveil cosmic patterns etched in the universe for billions of years.

Connecting Human Origins with Cosmic Mysteries

O’Brien's passion for understanding life, both it’s earthly roots and extraterrestrial possibilities, is apparent. Last summer, they swapped telescopes for trowels, discovering artifacts in an archaeological site in Ireland, deepening their connection to human history.

They shared, “My experiences publishing research and participating in an excavation have been eye-opening. This isn’t just academic—it’s about our place in the universe.”

Shaping the Future of Astronomical Research

As NASA's Lucy spacecraft prepares for its encounter with the Trojans, O’Brien's work lays vital groundwork for future studies of our solar system and possibly the origins of life itself. “My motivations in astronomy and anthropology are intertwined; I want to uncover where we come from and where life might exist beyond Earth,” they reflected.

From Observations to Publication: A Bright Future Ahead

The research, titled “Lightcurves from three mutual events of Trojan Binary 617 Patroclus in October 2024,” will be featured in the upcoming April 2025 issue of The Minor Planet Bulletin. O’Brien collaborated alongside a vibrant team of peers who shared a common goal: to decode the history of our solar system.

As they continue to track and study celestial bodies, O’Brien is determined to contribute to the evolving narrative of the universe, where every discovery could lead us one step closer to understanding life’s origins—on Earth and beyond!