A Map of Asteroid Vesta
Explanation:
Vesta is a huge rock 500 kilometers across that orbits out past
Mars.
In 1997, the
above map of
Vesta created using the
Hubble Space Telescope
was released showing a rugged surface highlighted by a
single crater spanning nearly the entire length of the
asteroid.
The large crater dominates the lower part of the
above false-color conglomerate image: blue indicates low terrain,
while red indicates raised terrain.
Evidence indicates that
Vesta underwent a
tremendous splintering collision about a billion years ago.
In October 1960, a small chunk of this rock believed to have originated on
Vesta fell to
Earth and was recovered in
Australia.
Vesta is considered by some to be a candidate for
reclassification into a planet.
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.
