Who discovered 951 Gaspra and when was it found?
Russian astronomer G. N. Neujmin spotted 951 Gaspra in the year 1916. He chose a name that honored a specific place on Earth rather than a mythological figure.
Questions about 951 Gaspra
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the Galileo spacecraft fly past 951 Gaspra?
The Galileo spacecraft flew past 951 Gaspra on the 29th of October 1991. This event marked the first time any human-made object approached an asteroid closely.
What is the surface area of 951 Gaspra compared to known locations?
Measurements show 951 Gaspra has a surface area of approximately 525 square kilometers. This total area equals the size of Guam or half the land mass of Hong Kong.
How long does 951 Gaspra take to complete one orbit around the Sun?
951 Gaspra completes one full revolution every 3.29 years while orbiting at an average distance of about 2.21 astronomical units.
Why do impact craters on 951 Gaspra have lopsided shapes?
Impact craters in such weak gravity take on lopsided shapes that mimic natural facets because ejected fragments from impacts easily fly away into space rather than settling back down.