spitzer_sig14-017b 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. One possible structure for such an asteroid is illustrated here: a solid clump loosely packed with fine debris.
Provider: Spitzer Space Telescope
Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/6005-sig14-017b-The-Spacious-Structure-of-Asteroid-2011-MD
Curator: Spitzer Space Telescope, Pasadena, CA, USA
Detailed color mapping information coming soon...
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