microrobert
02-28-2012, 04:51 PM
1st Asteroid Samples Reveal Surprising Look at Space Rock Crashes
http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/120227-Asteroid-hmed-0315p.grid-6x2.jpg
The first dust grains ever retrieved from the surface of an asteroid now confirm that these minor planets are constantly shaped by a continuous barrage of high-speed microscopic impacts, scientists find.
The Japanese asteroid probe Hayabusasucceeded in returning more than 1,500 grains of dustfrom the asteroid 25143 Itokawa when it parachuted into the Australian outback in June 2010. Already, the samples from this 1,800 foot-long (550 meter) rubble pile have helped solve the longstanding mystery of where most meteorites striking our planet come from.
http://www.space.com/14691-asteroid-impacts-hayabusa-meteorite-samples.html
http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/120227-Asteroid-hmed-0315p.grid-6x2.jpg
The first dust grains ever retrieved from the surface of an asteroid now confirm that these minor planets are constantly shaped by a continuous barrage of high-speed microscopic impacts, scientists find.
The Japanese asteroid probe Hayabusasucceeded in returning more than 1,500 grains of dustfrom the asteroid 25143 Itokawa when it parachuted into the Australian outback in June 2010. Already, the samples from this 1,800 foot-long (550 meter) rubble pile have helped solve the longstanding mystery of where most meteorites striking our planet come from.
http://www.space.com/14691-asteroid-impacts-hayabusa-meteorite-samples.html