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Eros Spectrum This plot shows a typical spectrum of Eros taken by the Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIS) on the NEAR spacecraft just before orbit insertion on February 14, 2000. The instrument measures the amount of sunlight reflected from the asteroid's surface over a wavelength range of 800-2400 nm, beyond the sensitivity of the human eye. Absorption bands due to the rock-forming minerals olivine and pyroxene are seen in the 1000 and 2000 nm regions, revealing information about Eros' composition.
Data Derived from NIS Low Phase Flyby sequences, Feb. 13-14, 2000; Mission Elapsed Times 125835667-125920263
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Built and managed by The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland, NEAR was the first spacecraft launched in NASA's Discovery Program of low-cost, small-scale planetary missions. See the NEAR web page at http://near.jhuapl.edu for more details. Feedback to Scott Murchie. Scott.Murchie@jhuapl.edu.