The secrets of the asteroid Eros of the hand of NEAR

2000/05/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronautika

Studies carried out by the NEAR spacecraft, also renamed, have borne fruit. These results have clarified the structure and composition of the asteroid EROS.

The spacecraft has been carrying out laser and x-ray measurements from an orbit of 200 km, which have allowed to identify numerous geological structures on the surface of the asteroid. Includes impact craters, cracks and rocks. According to the researchers, these geological structures are traces of the distribution of the object larger than Eros, so their study can determine the origin of the asteroid.

According to some theories, Eros and all asteroids found in the asteroid belt are remnants of a destroyed planet. The measurements of the NEAR spacecraft will help to know if this theory is correct or not.