NEAR image of the day for 2000 Oct 25

This image mosaic of Eros' largest depression--the 10-kilometer (6-mile) wide feature whose proposed name is Himeros--was obtained from an orbital altitude of 50 kilometers (31 miles). The mosaic shows a region about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) across that contains several of Himeros' distinctive and puzzling features. The curving trough at the top and upper right, as well as more subtle curving depressions near the bottom of the mosaic, reflect fracturing of Eros. The bright and dark banding near the top results from material accumulating at the base of the nearly vertical scarp that forms one wall of the curving trough. More subtle dark lineations near the lower right result from thin layers of loose material moving down an approximately 20-degree slope. Many impact craters dotting the area are somewhat eroded and infilled.