ESO Contributes to Protecting Earth from Dangerous Asteroids
ESO's Very Large Telescope has snapped a double asteroid as it flew close by Earth on 25 May.
The International Asteroid Warning Network coordinated observations of the asteroid.
The double asteroid, 1999 KW4, is a well-known object, and is not threatening.
The aim was to get a closer look at the asteroid's surface features...
...and to prepare the response to a dangerous asteroid.
ESO is collaborating with other organisations on planetary defence...
...to keep Earth safe from asteroid impacts.
Transcribed by ESO; translated by –