images

Asteroid Steins seen by Rosetta spacecraft

by

ESA/MPS/Novapix

Reference

a-ast03-00001

Date

2008-09-08

Asteroid Steins seen from a distance of 800 km, taken by the OSIRIS imaging system on Rosetta spacecraft from two different perspectives. The effective diameter of the asteroid is 5 km, approximately as predicted. At the top of the asteroid (as shown in this image), a large crater, approximately 1.5-km in size, can be seen. Scientists were amazed that the asteroid survived the impact that was responsible for the crater. September 5th 2008.