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Stereo Eros
| Title |
Stereo Eros |
| Explanation |
Get out your red/blue glasses [ http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/Help/VendorList.html#Glasses ] and float next to asteroid 433 Eros [ http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/db?name=433 ], now over 220 million kilometers away! Orbiting the Sun once every 1.8 earth-years, asteroid Eros is [ http://near.jhuapl.edu/eros/history/eros_useful.html ] a diminutive 40 x 14 x 14 kilometer world of undulating horizons, craters, boulders [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000721.html ] and valleys. Its unsettling scale and bizarre shape are emphasized in this picture [ http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA02471 ] - a mosaic of images from the NEAR Shoemaker [ http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/target/ Other?subselect=Spacecraft%3ANEAR+Shoemaker%3A ] spacecraft processed to yield a stereo anaglyphic [ http://faxmentis.org/html/ana-howto.html ] view. Along with dramatic [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiaroscuro#Gallery ] chiaroscuro [ http://studiochalkboard.evansville.edu/s-chiaro.html ], NEAR's 3-D imaging provided important measurements of the asteroid's landforms and structures, and clues to the origin of this city-sized chunk of solar system [ http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/ ]. The smallest features visible here are about 30 meters across. After spending a year in orbit around Eros, the historic Near Shoemaker spacecraft made the first ever landing on an asteroid's surface [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap010824.html ] February 12, 2001. |
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Stereo Eros
| Title |
Stereo Eros |
| Explanation |
Get out your red/blue glasses [ http://mpfwww.jpl.nasa.gov/MPF/mpf/glasses.html ] and float next to asteroid 433 Eros [ http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/db?name=433 ], 170 million kilometers away! Orbiting the Sun once every 1.8 earth-years, asteroid Eros is [ http://near.jhuapl.edu/eros/history/eros_useful.html ] a diminutive 40 x 14 x 14 kilometer world of undulating horizons, craters, boulders [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000721.html ] and valleys. Its unsettling scale and bizarre shape are emphasized in this picture [ http://near.jhuapl.edu/NEAR/iod/20000218/index.html ] - a mosaic of images from the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft [ http://near.jhuapl.edu/NEAR/news/flash/02dec12_1.html ] processed to yield a stereo anaglyphic [ http://near.jhuapl.edu/NEAR/3_d.html ] view. Along with dramatic [ http://www.artofcolour.com/chiaroscuro/chiaroscuro-image-files/ st-matthew.jpg ] chiaroscuro [ http://www2.evansville.edu/studiochalkboard/ s-chiaro.html ], NEAR's 3-D imaging provided important measurements of the asteroid's landforms and structures, and clues to the origin [ http://near.jhuapl.edu/NEAR/Voyage/1.html ] of this city-sized chunk of solar system [ http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/ ]. The smallest features visible here are about 30 meters across. After spending a year in orbit around Eros, the historic Near Shoemaker spacecraft made the first ever landing on an asteroid's surface [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap010824.html ] February 12, 2001. |
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Location of the NEAR Shoemak
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| Title |
Location of the NEAR Shoemaker Landing Site |
| Description |
The location of NEAR Shoemaker's planned landing site is shown in this image mosaic taken on December 3, 2000, from an orbital altitude of 200 kilometers (124 miles). In this view, south is to the top and the terminator (the imaginary line dividing day from night) lies near the equator. The landing site (at the tip of the arrow) is near the boundary of two distinctly different provinces, both of which the spacecraft will photograph as it descends. To the south and east (above and to the left) lies older, cratered terrain, while to the north (down) is the saddle-shaped feature Himeros, whose lesser density of superposed craters indicates relatively recent resurfacing by geologic processes. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
| Date |
02.12.2001 |
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NEAR Shoemaker's Path
| Title |
NEAR Shoemaker's Path |
| Description |
This plot shows NEAR Shoemaker's projected path from orbit to the surface of Eros on Feb. 12. Viewed from the sun, Eros is moving in a clockwise direction as it spins on its axis, while the spacecraft moves counterclockwise in a circular orbit 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the asteroid's center. The pair will be about 316 million kilometers (196 million miles) from Earth. NEAR Shoemaker will de-orbit with a short engine burn at 10:31 a.m. EST, about 4 1/2 hours before it's scheduled to reach the surface. The final leg of the controlled descent begins with the spacecraft about 5 kilometers (3 miles) above Eros, it will then execute an unprecedented series of four engine burns designed to slow its descent from about 20 mph to about 5 mph. NEAR Shoemaker is expected to touch down in an area bordering Himeros, the asteroid's distinctive saddle-shaped depression, after providing the highest-resolution images ever taken of Eros' boulder-strewn, cratered terrain. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
| Date |
02.08.2001 |
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Boulderado
| Title |
Boulderado |
| Description |
One of the most recognizable surface features on Eros is the boulder-filled, concave depression at the southwestern edge of the saddle-shaped Himeros. When it was first glimpsed early in NEAR Shoemaker's orbital mission the area was informally tagged "Boulderado. |
| Date |
02.06.2001 |
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Final Eros Images: Last, Clo
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| Title |
Final Eros Images: Last, Closest Image of Eros |
| Description |
This is the last image of asteroid 433 Eros received from NEAR Shoemaker. Taken from a range of 120 meters (394 feet), it measures 6 meters (20 feet) across. What we can see of the rock at the top of image measures 4 meters (12 feet) across. The streaky lines at the bottom indicate loss of signal as the spacecraft touched down on the asteroid during transmission of this image. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
| Date |
02.12.2001 |
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Final Eros Images: Range 1,1
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| Title |
Final Eros Images: Range 1,150 meters (3,773 feet) |
| Description |
NEAR Shoemaker took this image of asteroid 433 Eros from a range of 1,150 meters (3,773 feet). The image is 54 meters (177 feet) across. The large rock at lower left is 7.4 meters (24 feet) across. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
| Date |
02.12.2001 |
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Final Eros Images: Range 250
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| Title |
Final Eros Images: Range 250 meters (820 feet) |
| Description |
NEAR Shoemaker's image of asteroid 433 Eros taken from a range of 250 meters (820 feet). The image is 12 meters (39 feet) across. The cluster of rocks at the upper right measures 1.4 meters (5 feet) across. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
| Date |
02.12.2001 |
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Final Eros Images: Range 700
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| Title |
Final Eros Images: Range 700 meters (2,300 feet) |
| Description |
NEAR Shoemaker's image of asteroid 433 Eros taken from a range of 700 meters (2,300 feet). The image is 33 meters (108 feet) across. The large, oblong rock casting a big shadow measures 7.4 meters (24 feet) across. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
| Date |
02.12.2001 |
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The Environs of NEAR Shoemak
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| Title |
The Environs of NEAR Shoemaker's Landing Site |
| Description |
This image mosaic of Eros' southern hemisphere, taken by NEAR Shoemaker on November 30, 2000, offers a long-distance look at the cratered terrain south of where the spacecraft will touch down on February 12, 2001. In this view, south is to the top and the landing site itself is just into the shadows, slightly left of center. The length of the asteroid is 33 kilometers (21 miles). 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
| Date |
02.07.2001 |
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Landmarks at NEAR Shoemaker'
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| Title |
Landmarks at NEAR Shoemaker's Touchdown Site |
| Description |
This map projection of NEAR Shoemaker images shows locations and sizes of landmarks surrounding the spacecraft's planned landing site. Diameters of craters are shown in red, and diameters of boulders are shown in yellow. Diameters are given in units of meters (1 meter is about 3.3 feet). Coordinates along the left side of the map are degrees south latitude and coordinates along the bottom are degrees west longitude. The six yellow "footprint" boxes represent approximate image size at 500,1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 and 3,000 meters above the surface during descent. The spacecraft will take pictures continuously between each spot. The arrow marks the estimated touchdown site. Mosaic made from images taken January 25, 2001, from an altitude of about 25 kilometers (16 miles). 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
| Date |
02.12.2001 |
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Bright Crater Wall
PIA03134
Sol (our sun)
Multi-Spectral Imager
| Title |
Bright Crater Wall |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
NEAR Shoemaker captured this image on January 11, 2001, while orbiting 38 kilometers (24 miles) above Eros. Material on the inner wall of the crater in the center of the image is brighter than the surrounding regolith and is thought to be subsurface material exposed when overlying, darker regolith slides off. The whole scene is about 1.2 kilometers (0.7 miles) across. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
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The Environs of NEAR Shoemak
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PIA03141
Sol (our sun)
Multi-Spectral Imager
| Title |
The Environs of NEAR Shoemaker's Landing Site |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
This image mosaic of Eros' southern hemisphere, taken by NEAR Shoemaker on November 30, 2000, offers a long-distance look at the cratered terrain south of where the spacecraft will touch down on February 12, 2001. In this view, south is to the top and the landing site itself is just into the shadows, slightly left of center. The length of the asteroid is 33 kilometers (21 miles). 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
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On Eros' Slopes
PIA03133
Sol (our sun)
Multi-Spectral Imager
| Title |
On Eros' Slopes |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
NEAR Shoemaker took this picture of the interior wall of a large crater on January 9, 2001, from an orbital altitude of 35 kilometers (22 miles). Like many steep slopes on Eros, this area is mottled with downward-oriented brightness streaks. The streaks are thought to be exposed subsurface material that hasn't been altered by the solar wind and micrometeorite impacts. The whole scene is about 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) across. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
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Landmarks at NEAR Shoemaker'
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PIA03144
Sol (our sun)
Multi-Spectral Imager
| Title |
Landmarks at NEAR Shoemaker's Touchdown Site |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
This map projection of NEAR Shoemaker images shows locations and sizes of landmarks surrounding the spacecraft's planned landing site. Diameters of craters are shown in red, and diameters of boulders are shown in yellow. Diameters are given in units of meters (1 meter is about 3.3 feet). Coordinates along the left side of the map are degrees south latitude and coordinates along the bottom are degrees west longitude. The six yellow "footprint" boxes represent approximate image size at 500,1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 and 3,000 meters above the surface during descent. The spacecraft will take pictures continuously between each spot. The arrow marks the estimated touchdown site. Mosaic made from images taken January 25, 2001, from an altitude of about 25 kilometers (16 miles). 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
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Degraded Craters
PIA03131
Sol (our sun)
Multi-Spectral Imager
| Title |
Degraded Craters |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
NEAR Shoemaker captured this picture of two similarly sized craters in different states of preservation on January 1, 2001, from an orbital altitude of 35 kilometers (22 miles). The large "fresh" crater near the top of the frame exhibits a bowl shape with a relatively well-defined, sharp rim. The "degraded" one below it is puckered by smaller craters and probably partly buried by regolith, so the crisp detail visible in the top crater has been lost. The whole scene is about 0.9 kilometers (0.6 miles) across. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
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An Eraser Mark on Eros
PIA03132
Sol (our sun)
Multi-Spectral Imager
| Title |
An Eraser Mark on Eros |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
NEAR Shoemaker captured this amazing picture of adjacent regions in different states of surface degradation on January 7, 2001, from an orbital altitude of 35 kilometers (22 miles). The upper half and lower right parts of the image show surfaces with "typical" rounded craters and large boulders. However, the abruptly edged swath extending from lower left to middle right is remarkably more smooth, subdued, and lacking in small-scale detail of any type -- almost as if Eros had been altered by a giant eraser. The whole scene is about 1.4 kilometers (0.9 miles) across. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
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Lowest Altitude Diversity
PIA03136
Sol (our sun)
Multi-Spectral Imager
| Title |
Lowest Altitude Diversity |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
NEAR Shoemaker took this picture at 8:45 p.m. EST on January 25, 2001, during one of the spacecraft's low-altitude passes over the surface of Eros. The distance to the center of the picture is only 9 kilometers (5.6 miles), so the entire scene is a mere 340 meters (1,120 feet) across. At this scale, we can distinguish features less than 2 meters across. The asteroid's surface appears nearly devoid of obvious craters and is instead dominated by small boulders. In the upper left part of the image, a smooth deposit with a lower density of boulders is in contrast to the very rough-textured material seen at the lower right. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
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Regolith
PIA03135
Sol (our sun)
Multi-Spectral Imager
| Title |
Regolith |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
This picture of Eros, taken by NEAR Shoemaker on January 14, 2001, from an orbital altitude of 38 kilometers (24 miles), visually summarizes the unexpected nature of small-scale features on the asteroid's surface. Armed with a prejudice that the Moon's surface is typical of an airless body, one might expect Eros' surface to be dominated at all scales by craters. Instead, in an image like this, which shows features as small as 6 meters (19 feet) across, the surface is dominated by a blanket of regolith. Boulders litter the landscape, and the smallest craters are obscured - at times almost beyond recognition. Many of the low spots are extremely flat, and appear infilled. The whole scene is about 1.1 kilometers (0.7 miles) across. 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.jhuapl.edu for more details. |
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