Science & Technology

Hubble Telescope Captures Shattering Asteroid

By Associated Press

Published March 6, 2014 at 11:02 AM PST

This story was published more than 10 years ago.

This combination image made available by NASA on Thursday, March 6, 2014 shows a series of photos from the Hubble Space Telescope recording the disintegration of an asteroid from Oct. 29, 2013 to Jan. 14, 2014.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the first pictures of a disintegrating asteroid.

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This image shows P/2013 R3 as it was seen on Oct. 29, 2013.

NASA, ESA, D. Jewitt (UCLA)

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This image shows Asteroid P/2013 R3 as it was seen on Nov. 15, 2013.

NASA, ESA, D. Jewitt (UCLA)

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This image shows Asteroid P/2013 R3 as it was seen on Dec. 13, 2013.

NASA, ESA, D. Jewitt (UCLA)

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This image shows Asteroid P/2013 R3 as it was seen on Jan. 14, 2014.

NASA, ESA, D. Jewitt (UCLA)

Asteroid P/2013 R3 was detected in September in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It appeared as a fuzzy object. Further observations by ground telescopes revealed three bodies. Hubble uncovered 10 objects, each with dusty tails. The four largest fragments are up to 656 feet across.

Scientists say the asteroid began coming apart early last year. They theorize sunlight is slowing pulling the asteroid apart by increasing its rotation.

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A planetary scientist at UC Los Angeles, David Jewitt, led the investigation. He says seeing the rock "fall apart before our eyes is pretty amazing."

The pictures were released Thursday.