Space Telescope Observation Time Requested for Asteriod Belt Collision

A mysterious streak of dust in the asteroid belt might represent the first evidence of a collision between asteroids in modern times 250-million miles from Earth. If the New Mexico asteroid survey called LINEAR (Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research) data collected January 6, 2010 on object P/2010 A-2 proves to be the correct interpretation, it would be a most unusual finding, according to reports from Sky and Tel, New Scientist, Discovery News, and Universe Today. A request to task to the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes for more detailed observations has been made by astronomers so as to enhance data collection on the science mystery and determine if an asteroid mash-up has occurred or a new comet has been discovered. Astronomers have never before seen a head-on smash-up of two asteroids in the works. There has been no report of whether or not the Dawn spacecraft, en route to the asteroid belt, will be tasked to investigate the event. [Video]