Waspie_Dwarf Posted February 6, 2014 #1 Share Posted February 6, 2014 The Anatomy of an Asteroid ESO’s New Technology Telescope (NTT) has been used to find the first evidence that asteroids can have a highly varied internal structure. By making exquisitely precise measurements astronomers have found that different parts of the asteroid Itokawa have different densities. As well as revealing secrets about the asteroid’s formation, finding out what lies below the surface of asteroids may also shed light on what happens when bodies collide in the Solar System, and provide clues about how planets form.Using very precise ground-based observations, Stephen Lowry (University of Kent, UK) and colleagues have measured the speed at which the near-Earth asteroid (25143) Itokawa spins and how that spin rate is changing over time. They have combined these delicate observations with new theoretical work on how asteroids radiate heat. Read more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted February 6, 2014 Author #2 Share Posted February 6, 2014 (edited) Artist's impression of asteroid (25143) ItokawaThis artist,s impression, based on detailed spacecraft observations, shows the strange peanut-shaped asteroid Itokawa. By making exquisitely precise timing measurements using ESO's New Technology Telescope a team of astronomers has found that different parts of this asteroid have different densities. As well as revealing secrets about the asteroid's formation, finding out what lies below the surface of asteroids may also shed light on what happens when bodies collide in the Solar System, and provide clues about how planets form.Credit: JAXA, ESO/L. Calçada/M. Kornmesser/Nick Risinger (skysurvey.org).Source: ESO Observatory Edited February 6, 2014 by Waspie_Dwarf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted February 6, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Artist's impression of asteroid (25143) ItokawaThis artist's impression, based on detailed spacecraft observations, shows the strange peanut-shaped asteroid Itokawa. By making exquisitely precise timing measurements using ESO's New Technology Telescope a team of astronomers has found that different parts of this asteroid have different densities. As well as revealing secrets about the asteroid's formation, finding out what lies below the surface of asteroids may also shed light on what happens when bodies collide in the Solar System, and provide clues about how planets form.Credit: JAXA, ESO/L. Calçada/M. Kornmesser/Nick Risinger (skysurvey.org).Source: ESO Observatory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xynoplas Posted February 6, 2014 #4 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Yep, some asteroids are considered to be "rock piles" or loose conglomerations of smaller objects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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