If the regolith is there, the images may help determine just how deep is that covering, she said. That would give them a better idea about the age of certain regions on the asteroid, Prockter said. It will stay there for the next month. In December, the craft starts a set of lower and lower orbits, gathering science data about Eros from the various altitudes. The mission is set to end in February 2001 - a full year after NEAR Shoemaker started its looping of the asteroid.
Controlled descent is a more politically-correct euphemism for landing.
Staggering images are expected from NEAR as it drops toward the asteroid s rocky surface. Because the camera is, in essence, a telescope, pictures of the surface will become blurred as NEAR moves closer and closer to its final resting spot. Images of the distant horizon, however, are likely to be relayed back to Earth. It s conceivable.