Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Formation of a contact binary like 2014 MU69

Formation of a contact binary like 2014 MU69
Formation of a contact binary like 2014 MU69 Binary systems formed when aggregates of pebbles accreted into separated binaries under the force of gravity. Eventually, the orbit destabilized and the two pieces came into contact at a very slow speed of 80 centimeters per second or so. NASA / JHUAPL / SwRI / James Tuttle Keane