The asteroid Eros It is one of the most fascinating celestial bodies in the solar system. It is an S-type asteroid that is part of the Amor group of asteroids, which have orbits that bring them close to Earth. Discovered in 1898 by Gustav Witt and Auguste Charlois, Eros has been the subject of scientific studies that have revealed surprising data about its composition, its history, and its impact on astronomy, as detailed in the article about asteroid impact.
With a size of approximately 34 kilometers longEros is the second largest asteroid near Earth after Ganymede. Its proximity and irregular characteristics have made it an object of great interest for space exploration. Thanks to missions like the NEAR Shoemaker probe, we have been able to learn more about its surface, its composition, and its evolution over time. For more information on other asteroids, you can consult the article exploring asteroids in general.
Discovery and first observations
El discovery of Eros It occurred on August 13, 1898, when the astronomer Gustav Witt, from the Urania Observatory in Berlin, detected a moving object in the sky. Simultaneously, the astronomer Auguste Charlois, from Nice, also observed the same asteroid, although it was Witt who published his findings first, so he is officially credited with the discovery.
What really surprised astronomers was that Eros was the first asteroid found outside the main asteroid beltIts orbit brings it closer to Earth than any other asteroid known at the time, making it an important object to study, as is the case with the enigma of the Tunguska asteroid.
Physical characteristics and orbit
Eros is an asteroid elongated and irregular in shape, giving it a peanut- or potato-like appearance. Its dimensions are estimated at 34,4 x 11,2 x 11,2 kilometersIts mass is considerable for its size, reaching approximately 6,687 × 1015 kg.
Among its most notable features is its cratered surface, with more than 100.000 impacts recorded in images obtained by space probes. The presence of a layer of regolith, which is dust and rock fragments generated by impacts over time, has also been detected, a phenomenon that is related to other studies on Ceres.
Its orbit is quite eccentric and causes it to move between 1,133 and 1,783 astronomical units of the Sun. It completes one orbit around our star in approximately 643 daysEros spends a significant portion of its time within the orbit of Mars, occasionally coming very close to Earth.
Exploration by the NEAR Shoemaker probe
The mission that has provided the most information about Eros is the NEAR Shoemaker, launched by NASA in 1996. Initially, the probe was intended to orbit Eros and study its composition, but ended up achieving something historic: landed on the surface of the asteroid the February 12 2001.
During its time in orbit and on the surface of Eros, NEAR Shoemaker collected more 160.000 pictures, analyzed its composition and confirmed that it is a solid body, not a collection of debris agglomerated by gravity. It was also discovered that its regolith has been chemically modified by exposure to solar wind and micrometeorite impacts, which relates to research on the meteorite that extinguished the dinosaurs.
Approaches to Earth
Due to its orbit, Eros approaches Earth every few yearsThe closest recorded proximity occurred on January 23, 1975, when he became solo 23 million km of us. The last important approach happened on January 31, 2012, when he was at 26,7 million km.
These approaches have allowed the asteroid to be observed with telescopes from Earth. Furthermore, these encounters provide valuable information on how asteroids of this type interact with Earth's orbit and the potential risk of impact in the future, as shown in the case of the impact of asteroid 2024 YR4.
Scientific importance and possible threats
Eros, besides being a fascinating object of study, is key to research on near-Earth asteroidsTheir study has allowed us to learn more about the composition of the solar system and the potential risks these bodies may pose in the future.
Although at present, Eros does not represent a direct threat, scientists have determined that its orbit could alter over time, increasing the possibility of an impact in the very distant future. However, this event would not occur until a few years from now. 100 million years, so it does not pose an imminent risk.
The study of asteroids like Eros is also essential for developing planetary defense strategies, should a similar object be detected in the future on a collision course with Earth. This is especially relevant in the context of nearby asteroids and its implications on our planet.
Thanks to missions like NEAR Shoemaker, we have been able to discover that Eros is a solid asteroid and not a fragmented rock, crucial information for planning future missions that attempt to deflect dangerous asteroids. The asteroid Eros has become an object of great interest to the scientific community due to its proximity to Earth, its size, and its composition. Its study has allowed us to better understand the evolution of celestial bodies in the solar system, as well as assess the risks that asteroids pose to our planet. With current technology and the continuous monitoring of these objects, it is possible to anticipate any potential threat and develop appropriate strategies for the protection of Earth.
