Hayabusa Successfully Captured Itokawa Shape For The First Time In Space

IRON AND ICE

Itokawa Image: 9/4 02:36 UTC. (25 arc-minutes x 25 arc-minutes).

Pasadena CA (JPL) Sep 07, 2005
As of September 4th morning of 2005, Hayabusa is at approximately 1,000 km toward Earth with respect to Itokawa, a near Earth asteroid target of the spacecraft, with the approach speed of 10 km per hour.

Hayabusa took a series of its Optical Navigation Camera aboard on the day and the photos revealed, for the first time in space, the shape information of Itokawa. Left one was taken when the brightness was at the top, while the right one was at the bottom. The upward direction here is almost identical to the north of the ecliptic frame.

Itokawa Shape predicted for Sept. 4th Imagery. Ref.Ostro, S.
The light curve plot below corresponds to the images above. The images that should be were estimated numerically and those well agree with one another. Note the following model illustrates the shape model obtained based on the ground-based observations including radar measurement performed last year.

The photos actually taken this time supports the model built before launch and also shows the rotation axis is almost perpendicular to the ecliptic plane. This spin axis information also agrees with what was predicted before launch. It is not legible enough but the tip-to-tip length in left photo looks several hundred meters long. The rotation period was estimated about 12 hours before launch, and it well accounts for the observation.

Ostro,S.J., Benner L.A.M., Nolan M.C., Magri C., Giorgini J.D., Scheeres D. J., Broschart S.B., Kaasalainen M., Vokrouhlicky' D., Chesley S.R., Margot J.L., Jurgens R.F., Rose R., Yeomans D.K., Suzuki S., and De Jong E.M. (2004) Radar observations of asteroid 25143 Itokawa (1998 SF36). Meteoritics & Planetary Science 39:407-424.

IRON AND ICE

Risk From 2029 Asteroid Now More Remote

Cambridge, England (AFP) Sep 05 2005
An asteroid that triggered a scare last December after astronomers calculated that it ran a potential risk of smacking into Earth is less of a peril than thought, an expert said here Monday.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.