Andy Cheng
Andy Cheng
both debate leading near noisy question strong subject
This question was the subject of a noisy debate over the years leading to NEAR, with strong proponents on both sides. With the NEAR result, the question is settled.
figured front pile
Rubble pile asteroids are something we always figured would be out there, and suddenly, 'voila,' there was one in front of us.
asteroid center decide deflect mechanical
If we decide to deflect an asteroid we will need to know just where the center is, and we need to know something about its mechanical (compositional) strength.
benign large looking picked rocks strewn surface turned
The surface is strewn with very angular, large rocks - much more so than was expected. They've picked the most benign looking spot, but it has not turned out to be very benign.