Mathilde: A Dark Asteroid Explored By NEAR Shoemaker

Introduction

Mathilde is a dark asteroid that was explored by the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft. The asteroid is named after the wife of Ceres, one of the largest asteroids in the asteroid belt. Mathilde has an irregular shape and measures approximately 52 km in diameter. This article will delve into the history of Mathilde, the NEAR Shoemaker mission, and the results obtained from the exploration.

The Discovery of Mathilde

Mathilde was discovered in 1885 by Johann Palisa, an Austrian astronomer. Palisa discovered over 120 asteroids throughout his career, making him one of the most successful asteroid hunters of his time. Mathilde is categorized as a C-type asteroid, which means that it is rich in carbon and other organic compounds.

Composition of Mathilde

Mathilde's composition was first studied by the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft. The spacecraft found that Mathilde is a dense asteroid, with a density of 1.3 g/cm³. The surface of Mathilde is covered in craters, some of which are up to 10 km in diameter. The asteroid's dark color is due to the presence of carbon compounds on its surface.

NEAR Shoemaker Mission

The NEAR Shoemaker mission was launched in 1996 by NASA. The purpose of the mission was to study asteroids in the asteroid belt and gain a better understanding of their composition, structure, and evolution. The mission was dedicated to the memory of Eugene Shoemaker, a renowned planetary geologist who passed away in 1997. Shoemaker was instrumental in the study of impact craters and played a key role in the discovery of the comet that collided with Jupiter in 1994.

Orbit and Landing on Mathilde

The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft traveled to Mathilde on June 27, 1997. The spacecraft passed within 1212 km of Mathilde's surface, taking high-resolution images and gathering data on the asteroid's composition and structure. The spacecraft was not equipped with a lander, but it did perform a controlled descent onto the surface of Mathilde. The descent allowed the spacecraft to collect data on the asteroid's gravity and magnetic fields.

Results from the NEAR Shoemaker Mission

The NEAR Shoemaker mission provided scientists with valuable information about Mathilde's composition and history. The spacecraft found that Mathilde is one of the most heavily cratered objects in the solar system. It is estimated that the asteroid has been hit by numerous impacts over the course of its lifetime. The largest of these impact craters is approximately 20 km in diameter.

Composition of Mathilde

The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft found that Mathilde's surface is covered in carbon-rich material. The asteroid's dark color is due to the presence of organic compounds and other minerals, such as iron and magnesium. The data collected by the spacecraft also revealed that Mathilde has a low albedo, which means that it reflects very little light.

Impact History of Mathilde

The NEAR Shoemaker mission provided scientists with important information about the impact history of Mathilde. The spacecraft found that the asteroid has been hit by numerous impacts throughout its lifetime. These impacts have created a large number of craters on Mathilde's surface, some of which are up to 10 km in diameter. The largest impact crater on Mathilde is approximately 20 km in diameter.

Gravity and Magnetic Fields of Mathilde

The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft performed a controlled descent onto the surface of Mathilde, which allowed it to collect data on the asteroid's gravity and magnetic fields. The data collected by the spacecraft revealed that Mathilde has a weak magnetic field and a low average density. The asteroid's weak gravity field suggests that it is not internally differentiated, which means that it does not have a distinct core or mantle.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Mathilde?

  Mathilde is a dark asteroid that was explored by the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft. It measures approximately 52 km in diameter and is one of the most heavily cratered objects in the solar system.

• What is the NEAR Shoemaker mission?

  The NEAR Shoemaker mission was launched in 1996 by NASA. Its purpose was to study asteroids in the asteroid belt and gain a better understanding of their composition, structure, and evolution.

• What did the NEAR Shoemaker mission discover about Mathilde's composition?

  The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft found that Mathilde is a dense asteroid that is rich in carbon and other organic compounds. The asteroid's dark color is due to the presence of carbon compounds on its surface.

• What did the NEAR Shoemaker mission discover about Mathilde's impact history?

  The NEAR Shoemaker mission provided scientists with important information about the impact history of Mathilde. The asteroid has been hit by numerous impacts throughout its lifetime, which has created a large number of craters on its surface.

• What did the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft discover about Mathilde's gravity and magnetic fields?

  The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft performed a controlled descent onto the surface of Mathilde, which allowed it to collect data on the asteroid's gravity and magnetic fields. The data collected by the spacecraft revealed that Mathilde has a weak magnetic field and a low density.

Conclusion

The NEAR Shoemaker mission provided scientists with important information about the composition and history of Mathilde. The spacecraft's exploration of the asteroid helped to advance our understanding of the early solar system and the formation of asteroids. The study of asteroids like Mathilde is crucial for gaining insights into the evolution and dynamics of the solar system.

Thank you for reading this article. We hope you enjoyed learning about Mathilde and the NEAR Shoemaker mission. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below and stay tuned for more articles and updates on www.asteroidrealm.com.

Additional Resources

• NASA - NEAR Shoemaker Mission
• NASA JPL - NEAR Shoemaker Spacecraft Lands on Asteroid Mathilde
• NASA Solar System Exploration - Mathilde

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