First images of asteroid 243 Ida

M. J.S. Belton, C. R. Chapman, J. Veverka, K. P. Klaasen, A. Harch, R. Greeley, R. Greenberg, J. W. Head, A. McEwen, D. Morrison, P. C. Thomas, M. E. Davies, M. H. Carr, G. Neukum, F. P. Fanale, D. R. Davis, C. Anger, P. J. Gierasch, A. P. Ingersoll, C. B. Pilcher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Scopus citations

Abstract

The first images of the asteroid 243 Ida from Galileo show an irregular object measuring 56 kilometers by 24 kilometers by 21 kilometers. Its surface is rich in geologic features, including systems of grooves, blocks, chutes, albedo features, crater chains, and a full range of crater morphologies. The largest blocks may be distributed nonuniformly across the surface; lineaments and dark-floored craters also have preferential locations. Ida is interpreted to have a substantial regolith. The high crater density and size-frequency distribution (-3 differential power-law index) indicate a surface in equilibrium with saturated cratering. A minimum model crater age for Ida - and therefore for the Koronis family to which Ida belongs - is estimated at 1 billion years, older than expected.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1543-1547
Number of pages5
JournalScience
Volume265
Issue number5178
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 9 1994

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'First images of asteroid 243 Ida'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this