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(meteorobs) [ASTRO] New NEAR Color Images Of Eros
------- Forwarded Message
From: Ron Baalke <BAALKE@KELVIN.JPL.NASAdot gov>
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 20:12:38 GMT
Subject: [ASTRO] New NEAR Color Images Of Eros
NEAR image of the day for 2000 Feb 28
http://near.jhuapldot edu/iod/20000228/index.html
Eros' bland butterscotch colors
These color images of Eros was acquired by NEAR on
February 12, 2000, at a range of 1800 kilometers (1100
miles) during the final approach imaging sequence prior
to orbit insertion. A five and one-half hour long
sequence of images covering visible and infrared
wavelengths was taken at that time, to provide a global
overview of the color and spectral properties of the
asteroid. The images show approximately the color that
Eros would appear to the unaided human eye.
Eros' subtle butterscotch hue at visible wavelengths is
nearly uniform across the surface. Two days after these
images were taken, mapping by NEAR's infrared
spectrometer showed that Eros exhibits a great deal more
variety at longer wavelengths. These variations could be
due to differences in texture or composition of the
surface. Both NEAR's multispectral imager and infrared
spectrometer will be used extensively during the month
of March to map Eros' color and spectral properties from
an altitude of 200 kilometers (120 miles). The images to
be returned will show details as small as 20 meters (68
feet) across, providing a new perspective on the
asteroid's many fascinating landforms discovered so far
by NEAR.
--------------------------------------------------------
Built and managed by The Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland, NEAR was
the first spacecraft launched in NASA's Discovery
Program of low-cost, small-scale planetary missions. See
the NEAR web page at http://near.jhuapldot edu for more
details.
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