(abstract) Galileo NIMS Thermal Observations of Asteroid 951 Gaspra

The Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS) onboard the Galileo spacecraft performed spectral and thermal imaging of asteroid 951 Gaspra during the spacecraft flyby on October 29, 1991. Measurements of the hemispherically averaged temperature on Gaspra as the spacecraft approached the asteroid will also be reported. Differences resulting from other choices for thermophysical parameters in the model will be explored. Similar measurements are currently being planned for the Galileo encounter with asteroid 243 Ida, which will occur in late August of 1993.