A Two Toned Crater on Asteroid Eros
Explanation:
What lies beneath the surface of asteroid Eros?
This image taken two weeks ago by the
robot NEAR spacecraft
orbiting the dark asteroid shows a kilometer-wide
crater where
some type of light material lies beneath some of the darker surface
regolith.
This light substance, seen on
other photographs,
may be relatively fresh material not yet well
exposed to a darkening
solar wind and
micro
meteorite impacts.
As fuel wanes,
NASA plans to end the NEAR spacecraft mission on February 12
with a spectacular controlled descent to the
asteroid's surface.
Although not designed to survive a landing,
it is hoped that NEAR will be able to record and relay
high-resolution pictures
on its way down.
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.
