An astronomer based in Abu Dhabi has discovered a giant asteroid estimated to be between 5 and 10 kilometres in diameter — roughly six times the height of the Burj Khalifa. The space rock, temporarily designated 2022 UY56, poses no threat to Earth and represents one of the most significant asteroid finds attributed to a UAE-based researcher.
Who Discovered Asteroid 2022 UY56?
Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, director of the International Astronomical Centre (IAC) in Abu Dhabi, identified the asteroid while analysing images captured by the Pan-STARRS 2 telescope at Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii. The discovery was made as part of a NASA-supported programme conducted in collaboration with Hardin-Simmons University in Texas and the Catalina Sky Survey project.
A preliminary discovery certificate has been issued to Mr. Odeh. However, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has not yet formally acknowledged the find or assigned a permanent name. Full recognition requires additional observations to calculate the asteroid's orbital path with precision.
Where Is Asteroid 2022 UY56?
The asteroid is situated in the main asteroid belt, the region between Mars and Jupiter that is home to the vast majority of known asteroids in our solar system. It follows an elliptical orbit and completes a single trip around the Sun approximately every four years, at an average distance of around 375 million kilometres from the Sun.
Although images of 2022 UY56 date back to 2006, no researcher had formally claimed the discovery until Mr. Odeh made his announcement.
What Does This Mean for UAE Space Science?
Khadijah Ahmad, Operations Manager at the Dubai Astronomy Group, said the discovery highlights the impact that dedicated individuals can have in advancing asteroid science. She added that while advances in artificial intelligence have aided asteroid tracking significantly, the trained human eye remains an indispensable tool.
The find also comes at a pivotal moment for the UAE's space ambitions. The country has the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA) scheduled for a 2028 launch, backed by the $1 billion UAE Space Fund. The 13-year mission will involve a seven-year journey through the solar system and plans fly-bys of seven asteroids beginning in February 2030, with the goal of deepening humanity's understanding of how these ancient bodies formed.
The discovery of 2022 UY56 by an Abu Dhabi-based astronomer underscores the UAE's growing contribution to global space exploration, and adds momentum to the country's broader ambitions in the asteroid belt.
