Asteroid 433 Eros
Asteroid 433 Eros is a near-Earth asteroid that orbits the Sun between the orbits of Mars and Earth. It was discovered in 1898 and is classified as an S-type asteroid, which means it is primarily composed of silicate rock and metal. Eros is approximately 16.8 kilometers long and 7.2 kilometers wide, making it one of the larger asteroids in its category.
In 2000, the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft became the first to orbit and land on an asteroid, specifically targeting Eros. The mission provided valuable data about the asteroid's surface, composition, and structure, enhancing our understanding of these celestial bodies and their potential impact on Earth.