Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Primordial Contact Binary 2014 MU69

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for May 22, 2019 is “Primordial Contact Binary 2014 MU69,” an image. It is credited to Image Credit: NASA , Johns Hopkins University APL , Southwest Research Institute , Roman Tkachenko. The original explanation runs about 134 words.

Primordial Contact Binary 2014 MU69
Credit: Image Credit: NASA , Johns Hopkins University APL , Southwest Research Institute , Roman Tkachenko Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“Primordial contact binary 2014 MU69 , also known as Ultima Thule, really is very red. In fact, it’s the reddest outer solar system object ever visited by a spacecraft from Earth.”

— APOD editors, May 22, 2019

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
May 22, 2019
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Image Credit: NASA , Johns Hopkins University APL , Southwest Research Institute , Roman Tkachenko
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 134 words

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.