MONTAGE OF EROS FOR FEATURE SCIENCE ASTEROIDS, 2001-08-02 (photo)

This montage shows structural features on Eros obtained by NEAR Shoemaker from several different orbits. Any underlying, deep-seated structures probably formed as a result of large impacts to the asteroid's surface, in the same way that a car windshield fractures when it is hit by a stone. Later, movement of regolith may have modified the structure's surface expressions. Troughs - Shallow troughs (top left) are found within the saddle region of Eros and are very closely aligned. A large flat-floored trough (bottom left) is found in the saddle. Pits - The top right image shows a chain of pits, most likely the result of loose regolith (impact-derived soil) draining into a crack on the asteroid's surface. Ridges - At center, right is the ridge that winds from Eros' saddle area around the north pole down to the 5.3-km crater. Fractures - The center image shows the region where the ridge ends.