World’s largest digital camera spots fastest-spinning asteroid

Scientists have discovered an extraordinary asteroid named 2025 MN45, thanks to the world’s largest digital camera. Measuring roughly half a mile wide—nearly eight times the size of a football field—this asteroid is remarkable for its speed. It spins so fast that it has been called the fastest-spinning giant asteroid ever observed.

Discovery Made Possible by Vera C. Rubin Observatory

The asteroid was detected using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, equipped with a massive 3,200-megapixel camera. This camera, the largest ever built, can capture high-resolution images of the sky every 40 seconds. Over the next 10 years, it will continuously scan the skies, creating an unprecedented time-lapse record of the universe. Early tests have already revealed thousands of previously unknown asteroids, including 1,900 discoveries in June 2025 alone.

Why 2025 MN45 Is Called a ‘Super Rotator’

Most asteroids rotate slowly, but 2025 MN45 completes one full spin in just 1.88 minutes, making it a ‘super rotator’. Scientists believe its rapid spin could be the result of a violent collision in the past or because it is a fragment of a larger planetary body. Its extreme speed also shows that the asteroid must be solid, as a loose “rubble pile” would have broken apart.

Where 2025 MN45 Is Located

The asteroid is part of the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Images show it surrounded by other space rocks, with the Sun and Jupiter far in the background, giving perspective on its position in the solar system.

Future Discoveries and Potential Threats

The discovery of 2025 MN45 is just the beginning. Between April and May 2025, the Rubin Observatory detected 76 new asteroids, including 16 fast rotators. Scientists expect millions of new objects to be discovered over the next decade, which will help track potential threats to Earth and improve understanding of the solar system’s evolution.

Often called a ‘third eye’ on the universe, this powerful camera is set to uncover parts of space humanity has never seen, revealing secrets of the cosmos and helping protect our planet.

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