Chapter 1: Discovery Beyond the Stars

The recent revelation of Tim Russ's asteroid discovery feels like a scene pulled straight from Star Trek: Voyager.

Tim Russ, famously known as Commander Tuvok from Star Trek Voyager, was part of a team of six citizen scientists who identified a Trojan asteroid orbiting Jupiter. Their efforts are aiding NASA as it prepares for the upcoming Lucy mission, aimed at exploring ancient asteroids. The discovered asteroid, named Patroclus (pronounced pah-TRO-klus), is significant for its role in the mission.

Lucy, Lucy, Lucy…

“Our greatest defense against fear is knowledge.” — Tuvok, as portrayed by Tim Russ in Star Trek Voyager.

The Lucy spacecraft is set to be the first to visit Jupiter's Trojan asteroids, which are positioned in two clusters, one ahead of and one behind the gas giant as it travels around the Sun. These asteroids are maintained in their orbits due to the gravitational forces exerted by both Jupiter and the Sun.

According to NASA, “The mission takes its name from the fossilized human ancestor, known as 'Lucy', whose discovery provided critical insights into human evolution. Similarly, the Lucy mission aims to enhance our understanding of planetary origins and the development of our solar system.”

Scheduled for launch this October, Lucy will embark on a 12-year journey to study eight asteroids.

“These Trojan asteroids were likely captured into Jupiter’s orbit from further out in the solar system, making them rarer and more pristine in terms of the chemical information they hold,” Russ shared with USA Today.

At 65, Russ is also recognized for his cameo as an unnamed trooper in Spaceballs. After a rather humorous scene searching a desert, the trooper humorously concludes with, “We ain't found ____!”

However, Tim Russ has now officially contributed to finding something truly remarkable.

James Maynard, founder and publisher of The Cosmic Companion, is a New England native currently residing in Tucson with his wife, Nicole, and their cat, Max.

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Chapter 2: Engaging with the Cosmos

In this enlightening video, Tim Russ engages in a captivating discussion about his experiences and insights related to space exploration. Join him as he shares his passion for science and the universe.