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Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicThis animated sequence is composed of images gathered by the OSIRIS camera on board the Rosetta orbiter on 2 January 2007. It shows asteroid 21-Lutetia, as seen by the spacecraft from a distance of about 245 million kilometres, during a remote-sensing observation campaign of this object that lasted 36 hours.
The asteroid can be seen as the near-stationary spot visible at the centre of the image. The scattered spots seen in the movie are cosmic rays events, that is high-energy cosmic radiation hitting the detectors of OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System).
Together with 2867-Steins, 21-Lutetia is one of the two target asteroids that Rosetta will study during its long trek to comet 67P-Churyumov-Gersimenko. The two asteroids will be visited at close range in September 2008 and July 2010, respectively.
A non-annotated version of this animation can be accessed by clicking here.