This is a group of photographs taken of Eros by the NEAR spacecraft during its approach.
Click on image for full size
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland.
NASA is Getting NEAR Eros
News story originally written on February 9, 2000
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft is heading towards the asteroid, Eros. It is scheduled to begin its orbit around the giant rock on Valentines Day, February 14th.
This will be the first time a spacecraft has been sent to an asteroid.
Scientists say the NEAR craft is right on course. Although actually getting the craft into orbit won't be easy, keeping the orbit without crashing into the asteroid is even trickier. Eros has an
unusual shape and rotation. Scientists have to watch the craft and asteroid closely, and maneuver NEAR so it doesn't crash.
NEAR will study the composition and history of Eros. It will also determine whether or not Eros has a magnetic field. Scientists are also hoping to spot any moons that may be circling the rock. Eros is one of the
largest asteroids known. Eros is estimated to be 23 * 8 * 8 miles, about twice the size of Manhatten Island.
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
Our online store
includes issues of NESTA's quarterly journal, The Earth Scientist
, full of classroom activities on different topics in Earth and space science, as well as books
on science education!
You might also be interested in:
The force of magnetism causes material to point along the direction the magnetic force points. As shown in the diagram to the left, the force of magnetism is illustrated by lines, which represent the force....more
The NEAR spacecraft has been in orbit around the asteroid Eros since Valentine's Day of last year. It has met all of its science goals. It has been a huge success! On top of all that, NEAR will attempt...more
It was another exciting and frustrating year for the space science program. It seemed that every step forward led to one backwards. Either way, NASA led the way to a great century of discovery. Unfortunately,...more
The Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on October 29th at 2:19 p.m. EST. The weather was great as Discovery took 8 1/2 minutes to reach orbit. This was the United States' 123rd...more
A moon was discovered orbiting the asteroid, Eugenia. This is only the second time in history that a satellite has been seen circling an asteroid. A special mirror allowed scientists to find the moon...more
Will Russia ever put the service module for the International Space Station in space? NASA officials want an answer from the Russian government. The necessary service module is currently waiting to be...more
A coronal mass ejection (CME) happened on the Sun early last month. The material that was thrown out from this explosion passed the ACE spacecraft. The SWICS instrument on ACE has produced a new and very...more