spitzer_sig14-017 June 19th, 2014
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle (IPAC)
Observations from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope reveal new information about the structure of 2011 MD, a small asteroid being considered by NASA for its proposed Asteroid Redirect Mission, or ARM. Spitzer's infrared images helped reveal that this asteroid consists of about two-thirds empty space. There are several possible structures for such an asteroid, two of which are illustrated here: a loosely clumped group of boulders (left) and a solid clump loosely packed with fine debris (right).
Provider: Spitzer Space Telescope
Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/6001-sig14-017-The-Spacious-Structure-of-Asteroid-2011-MD
Curator: Spitzer Space Telescope, Pasadena, CA, USA
Detailed color mapping information coming soon...
Providers | Sign In