TopicsThis is Ryugu -- a global image in 3D

Asteroid Ryugu (designation number 162173) is a "spinning top" -type asteroid which was not predicted before the recent images captured by Hayabusa2. A global image of the asteroid as it rotates is shown below as a 3D animation.


  • [Original file]

    [Original file]
    Animation of the stereoscopic global image of asteroid Ryugu. When viewed through red / blue glasses (blue filter over the right eye), the asteroid should look three-dimensional. The images were captured with the Optical Navigation Camera - Telescopic (ONC-T), photographed on June 23, 2018.
    Image credit ※: JAXA, University of Aizu, University of Tokyo, Kochi University, Rikkyo University, Nagoya University, Chiba Institute of Technology, Meiji University and AIST.

These animations show the result of sequential images of asteroid Ryugu taken with the ONC-T (Optical Navigation Camera - Telescopic) during the final approach to Ryugu on June 23, 2018. Images were captured at approximately 10 degrees increments as the asteroid rotates. The distance from the spacecraft to Ryugu at this time was about 40 km.

If you assemble red-blue glasses (placing the blue filter over your right eye) and look at these figures, Ryugu should appear three dimensional. The overall shape of Ryugu and the undulations of the craters and boulders become very clear.

From here on, we will be investigating Ryugu in more detail.

※ If you wish to use the images here, please include the displayed credit. In the case where an abbreviated form is necessary, please use "JAXA, University of Aizu & collaborators".

Hayabusa2 Project
2018.07.10