Images of Asteroid Lutetia. The first image was taken at 06:18 (about 9.5 hours before closest approach, 510000 kms from the asteroid), the last one at 14:15 (about 1.5 hours before closest approach, 81000 km from the asteroid.). The resolution changes from 9.6 km/px to 1.5 km/px.
Final sequence of images before closest approach (CA-8, CA-4:40, CA-2, CA-1:50).
Credits: ESA 2010 MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/RSSD/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA
Source images: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM44DZOFBG_index_1.html
Video editing: Marco De Marco
Niceley imaged, but... its a cratered rock. I will be surprised if they find an asteroid that is not. (Not to deny it might have an interesting spectral emission) Still a triumph of observation!
flamencoprof 1 year ago
Wonderful! Such a powerful feeling actually seeing a world for the first time!
mobius1234 1 year ago