Asteroid Gaspra's Best Face
Explanation:
Above is the best yet
color image of the asteroid Gaspra
based on data returned by NASA's Galileo spacecraft.
Color variations have been added to high resolution images and enhanced
to highlight changes in reflectivity, surface structure and composition.
The illuminated portion of the
asteroid is about 11 miles long.
Galileo encountered Gaspra on October 29, 1991 during
the cruise phase of its mission to study the Jovian system.
When it arrives at
Jupiter,
in December 1995, the robot spacecraft's
atmospheric probe will descend into
Jupiter's atmosphere,
becoming the first ever probe to enter the atmosphere of a gas giant
planet. Updates on Galileo's progress can be found at
"Online from Jupiter".
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
