Science  04 September, 2008 17:10

Rosetta Podcast

Steins, a rare E-type asteroid, holds clues on how the planets formed (more info and link to the Podcast after the jump). -- Daniel

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Science  03 September, 2008 16:27

(2867) Steins: a portrait

Steins is one of the rarest types of asteroids in the Solar System and holds clues on how the planets formed.

(2867) Steins vital statistics:

Size                                           4.6 km

Orbital Radius                             353 million km

Class                                         E-type asteroid

Rotation Period                           approximately 6.05 hours

Shape                                        irregular but not elongated

Closest approach                        5 September 2008, 20:58 CEST

Distance at closest approach        800 km

Relative Velocity at fly-by            8.62 km/s

For a detailed description of asteroid Steins, check the Rosetta website: A portrait of asteroid Steins

Background information on asteroids along with a detailed list of previous asteroid fly-bys is here: Debris of the Solar System: Asteriods

--Amruta

 

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Science  03 September, 2008 11:06

Next target: Steins

I'm now waiting for our scientists to get back to us, and as soon as they do, I'll be posting a (relatively) detailed description of asteroid 2867 Steins. Quite exciting, since it will be only the ninth asteroid to be studied from up close, and very little is known about it and the class it belongs to.

--Amruta

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This image was taken by Rosetta’s navigation camera (NAVCAM) right after Rosetta’s closest approach to Earth. The picture was taken at 21:58 CET on 13 November, as Rosetta’s second Earth swing-by concluded, while the spacecraft was flying at a height of about 5343 km directly above 78.74° west and 63.12° south. Credits: ESA During the swing-by, the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS)on board Rosetta observed Earth’s night-side. The is a picture taken with the OSIRIS Wide Angle Camera (WAC), showing the same view seen in the OSIRIS Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) image. It is shown in false colour to emphasise city lights seen at night. This image was acquired on 13 November 2007 at 20:30 CET using the WAC with a red filter. Credits: ESA ©2005 MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/RSSD/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA Rosetta’s navigation camera (NAVCAM) took this shot of Earth right after Rosetta’s closest approach to our planet. The picture was taken at 22:56 CET on 13 November, as Rosetta’s second Earth swing-by concluded, while the spacecraft was flying at a height of about 6250 km from the surface. Credits: ESA This is a composite of four images combined to show the illuminated crescent of Earth and the cities of the northern hemisphere. The images were acquired with the OSIRIS Wide Angle Camera (WAC) during Rosetta’s second Earth swing-by on 13 November. This image showing islands of light created by human habitation was taken with the OSIRIS WAC at 19:45 CET, about 2 hours before the closest approach of the spacecraft to Earth. At the time, Rosetta was about 80 000 km above the Indian Ocean where the local time approached midnight (the angle between Sun, Earth and Rosetta was about 160°). The image was taken with a five-second exposure of the WAC with the red filter. This image showing Earth’s illuminated crescent was taken with the WAC at 20:05 CET as Rosetta was about 75 000 km from Earth. The crescent seen is around Antarctica. The image is a colour composite combining images obtained at various wavelengths. Credits: ESA ©2005 MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/RSSD/INTA/ UPM/DASP/IDA This image was taken by Rosetta’s navigation camera (NAVCAM) right after Rosetta’s closest approach to Earth. The picture was taken at 21:55 CET on 13 November, as Rosetta’s second Earth swing-by concluded, while the spacecraft was flying at a height of about 5500 km from the surface. Credits: ESA