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Monday, November 23, 2009

Photo: Asteroid Probe Offers New Views of Near-Earth Object


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Is it a lumpy potato or a celestial sea otter? The near-Earth asteroid dubbed 25143 Itokawa is sparking the imaginations of scientists thanks to unprecedented images captured by a Japanese space probe.

The craft managed to land on the heavenly body last fall to scoop up a sample, but technical difficulties might hinder its return trip.

Image courtesy Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency/ Science