Discovery of Grooves on Gaspra

J. Veverka, P. Thomas, D. Simonelli, M. J.S. Belton, M. Carr, C. Chapman, M. E. Davies, R. Greeley, R. Greenberg, J. Head, K. Klaasen, T. V. Johnson, D. Morrison, G. Neukum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report the discovery of grooves in Galileo high-resolution images of Gaspra. These features, previously seen only on Mars' satellite Phobos, are most likely related to severe impacts. Grooves on Gaspra occur as linear and pitted depressions, typically 100-200 m wide, 0.8 to 2.5 km long, and 10-20 m deep. Most occur in two major groups, one of which trends approximately parallel to the asteroid's long axis, but is offset by some 15°; the other is approximately perpendicular to this trend. The first of these directions falls along a family of planes which parallel three extensive flat facets identified by Thomas et al., Icarus 107. The occurrence of grooves on Gaspra is consistent with other indications (irregular shape, cratering record) that this asteroid has evolved through a violent collisional history. The bodywide congruence of major groove directions and other structural elements suggests that present-day Gaspra is a globally coherent body.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)72-83
Number of pages12
JournalIcarus
Volume107
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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