Astronomers have discovered a new asteroid, 2025 SC79, which orbits the sun in just 128 days within Venus’s orbit, making it the second-fastest known unique asteroid.

The asteroid is about 0.4 miles (700 meters) long and was spotted in the sun’s glare, highlighting the challenge of detecting “twilight” asteroids that could pose hazards to Earth.

Observations were confirmed by NSF’s Gemini Observatory and Carnegie Science’s Magellan Telescopes, though follow-up studies must wait until the asteroid moves out from behind the sun, Space.com has reported.

Scientists emphasize that studying these asteroids helps understand their origins, orbital dynamics, and potential risks, contributing to planetary defense and knowledge of solar system history.