Asteroid Gaspra is a notable celestial body in the asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Here are key details about this asteroid:
- Discovery: Asteroid Gaspra was first discovered on July 30, 1916, by the Russian astronomer Grigory Neujmin at the Simeiz Observatory in Crimea.
- Designation: It is officially known as 951 Gaspra. The name was given in honor of the resort town of Gaspra in Crimea, where Neujmin often worked.
- Physical Characteristics:
- Gaspra is approximately 11 kilometers in its longest dimension, making it relatively small compared to other known asteroids.
- It has an irregular shape, often described as potato-shaped, with numerous craters, some of which are quite large relative to its size.
- The asteroid's surface is covered with regolith, which consists of loose, fragmented material from impacts.
- Orbit: Gaspra orbits the Sun with an orbital period of about 3.28 years and has a semi-major axis of about 2.21 AU (Astronomical Units).
- Historical Flyby:
- The most significant event in Gaspra's history was its close flyby by NASA's Galileo spacecraft on October 29, 1991. This encounter made Gaspra the first asteroid to be closely observed by a spacecraft.
- During the flyby, Galileo took detailed images and collected data on the asteroid's surface features, composition, and magnetic field. These observations provided invaluable insights into the nature of S-type asteroids.
- Composition: Gaspra is classified as an S-type asteroid, indicating it is primarily composed of silicates and nickel-iron. Its spectral type suggests it might contain a mixture of metals and stony materials.
- Scientific Significance:
- The study of Gaspra has helped scientists understand the processes of collision and fragmentation in the asteroid belt, as well as the origins and evolution of such bodies.
- Its study also contributes to our knowledge of the solar system's formation and the dynamics of minor planets.
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