433 Eros Asteroid Topography Animation

This sequence combines the topographic model of Eros generated by the NEAR Laser Rangefinder (NLR) with colors sampled from other Eros images. Scientists can examine the asteroid from any angle to help them understand the asteroid's collisional evolution and internal structure. The shape of Eros also provides a context for interpreting images and compositional information.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• 433
• Eros
• Asteroid
• Topography
• NASA/JHUAPL/NLR

[007TruthSeeker]

Eros was named long before its shape was known. The story of how the first attempted approach was frustrated by an inappropriate engine shut-down, leading to a very careful, cautious approach the next year, when NEAR re-approached Eros, was very interesting, if embarrassing for the team.

They redeemed themselves by their sufficiently soft landing of NEAR onto Eros after the survey was finished, and covered themselves with glory when NEAR continued to transmit after touchdown.

[cropsey7]

The big phallus actually hence the name eros

[Ramonesrrad]

the big shoe