Artist’s impression of asteroid (25143) Itokawa

This 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).

About the Video

Id:eso1405a
Release date:5 February 2014, 12:00
Related releases:eso1405
Duration:40 s
Frame rate:30 fps

About the Object

Name:(25143) Itokawa
Category:Solar System

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