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Radio science results during the NEAR-shoemaker spacecraft rendezvous with eros

Authors :
Yeomans DK
Antreasian PG
Barriot J
Chesley SR
Dunham DW
Farquhar RW
Giorgini JD
Helfrich CE
Konopliv AS
McAdams JV
Miller JK
Owen WM Jr
Scheeres DJ
Thomas PC
Veverka J
Williams BG
Source :
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] 2000 Sep 22; Vol. 289 (5487), pp. 2085-8.
Publication Year :
2000

Abstract

We determined the mass of asteroid 433 Eros, its lower order gravitational harmonics, and rotation state, using ground-based Doppler and range tracking of the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR)-Shoemaker spacecraft and images of the asteroid's surface landmarks. The mass of Eros is (6.687 +/- 0.003) x 10(18) grams, which, coupled with our volume estimate, implies a bulk density of 2. 67 +/- 0.03 grams per cubic centimeter. The asteroid appears to have a uniform density distribution. The right ascension and declination of the rotation pole are 11.37 +/- 0.05 and 17.22 +/- 0.05 degrees, respectively, and at least over the short term, the rotation state of Eros is stable with no measurable free precession of the spin pole. Escape velocities on the surface vary from 3.1 to 17.2 meters per second. The dynamical environment of Eros suggests that it is covered with regolith and that one might expect material transport toward the deepest potential wells in the saddle and 5.5-kilometer crater regions.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1095-9203
Volume :
289
Issue :
5487
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
11000104
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.289.5487.2085