High Resolution Radar Images of Asteroid 216 Kleopatra Released
According to a NASA press release astronomers from Cornell University and NASA “have collected the first-ever radar images of a “main belt” asteroid, a metallic, dog bone-shaped rock the size of New Jersey, an apparent leftover from an ancient, violent cosmic collision. The asteroid, named 216 Kleopatra, is a large object in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter; it measures about 135 miles (217 kilometers) long and about 58 miles (94 kilometers) wide. Kleopatra was discovered in 1880, but until now, its shape was unknown. The 1,000-foot (305- meter) telescope of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico was used to make the radar measurements.
Related links and background information
° More images from JPL (NEW)
° Animation (NEW)
° Radar Observations of Asteroid 216 Kleopatra, Science, 5 May 2000, [summary – can be viewed for free once registered. A subscription fee is required for full access.]
° Press release, NASA JPL
° Press release, Cornell University
° Asteroid Radar Research, NASA JPL
° Asteroids and Comets, SpaceRef Directory
