Incredible asteroid video!

Posted by David Eicher
on Monday, June 13, 2011

Today NASA released an amazing video of the asteroid 4 Vesta shot on approach from the Dawn spacecraft. This is something you've just go to see. The video shows 20 frames the spacecraft obtained for navigational purposes on June 1. The asteroid's jagged shape is visible, as well as shadowy spots on Vesta that were previously visible in images made with the Hubble Space Telescope.

Photo Credit: NASA

Dawn is approaching Vesta and will enter orbit around the minor planet on July 16. Vesta is of great importance because it is one of the largest asteroids known and because it's the parent body of many interesting meteorites, the H-E-D family, including such falls as Tataouine in Tunisia.

Check out the video - solar system history is being made!  

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