Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2002 November 13 
Posted on 11/12/2002 10:44:49 PM PST by petuniasevan
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2002 November 13
Explanation: NASA's interplanetary probe STARDUST, on its way to Comet Wild 2 in January 2004, passed asteroid 5535 Annefrank earlier this month. Annefrank, named for a holocaust victim who kept a famous diary, is a member of the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Just prior to closest approach at about 3300 km distant, the robot spacecraft took the above picture. Although images obtained were not detailed enough to resolve much of the asteroid's surface, the size, reflectivity, and general shape of the asteroid were recorded. At 6 kilometers across, asteroid Annefrank turned out to be larger -- and darker -- than expected.
Most asteroids are in one of several groups. Many are in the main asteroid belt. Others are Near-Earth asteroids. Still others orbit 60 degrees ahead and behind Jupiter. This list is by no means complete.
Your name will be listed on a DVD disk attached to the lander! It's free!
Deadline 11-15-02!
This is so cool! I will e-mail my grandkids this link. Thanks for posting this.
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