The 1st 'three-headed' asteroid | Space photo of the day for Aug. 3, 2026

Astronomers have discovered what is believed to be the first-known asteroid in our solar system with a unique three-headed, or trilobate, shape. The asteroid, (44) Nysa, was first observed in 1857 but its distinctive structure was only revealed in new images captured by the Very Large Telescope in Chile and the Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona.

Measuring around 47 miles (75 kilometers) in circumference at its widest point and featuring two narrow necks, Nysa is accompanied by a small moon, S/2026 (44) 1, orbiting at a distance of around 106 miles (170 km). Scientists propose that Nysa could either be a contact trinary, consisting of three connected components, or an extremely irregular coherent body, offering valuable insights into the formation of our solar system's planets.

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