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James Webb telescope detects the "smallest" asteroid in history

The object observed is probably the smallest observed to date by Webb and may be an example of an object measuring less than 1 kilometer in length within the main asteroid belt, located between Mars and Jupiter.

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The team's results suggest that the object is between 100 and 200 meters across, occupies a very low inclination orbit, and was located in the inner region of the main belt at the time of Webb's observations. "Our detection lies in the main asteroid belt, but Webb's incredible sensitivity made it possible to see this roughly 100-meter object at a distance of more than 100 million kilometers," Müller said.