Rosetta flyby uncovers the complex history of asteroid Lutetia
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - 07:31
in Astronomy & Space
(Phys.org) -- The long and tumultuous history of asteroid (21) Lutetia is revealed by a comprehensive analysis of the data gathered by ESA's Rosetta spacecraft when it flew past this large main-belt asteroid on 10 July 2010. New studies have revealed the asteroid's surface morphology, composition and other properties in unprecedented detail. In particular, extensive studies of Lutetia's geological features have opened a unique window into the complex history of this peculiar object.