The Earth-Moon System
Explanation:
This evocative mosaic image of
the Earth-Moon system was recorded by
NASA's
Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft earlier this month.
The relative sizes shown are appropriate for viewing both
the Earth and
Moon
from a distance of about 250,000 miles, although the apparent
brightness of the Moon has been increased by about a factor
of five for the sake of appearances.
This space-based perspective is a unique one,
the bland and somber
Lunar Southern Hemisphere
contrasting strongly with blue oceans,
swirling clouds, and the bright icy white continent
of Antarctica
on planet Earth.
Though its lack of
atmosphere
and oceans
make it relatively dull looking,
the Earth's moon is one of
the largest moons in the solar system
- even larger than the planet
Pluto.
During this
recent flyby of the Earth-Moon system,
the NEAR spacecraft
used Earth's gravity to deflect it towards its ultimate destination,
the Asteroid 433 Eros.
It is scheduled to arrive at Eros in January 1999.
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.
