| Description | Eros, named for the god of love, is a near-Earth asteroid, which often comes close to our planet. A huge amount of information about this object was discovered by the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission, which landed on the asteroid in 2000. |
| Age | About the same age as the Sun: 4.5 billion years |
| Location | Inner solar system |
| Avg. distance from the Sun | 218.7 million kilometers (135.9 million miles) |
| Diameter | 33 km x 13 km x 13 km (or 20 mi x 8 mi x 8 mi) |
| Mass | 7.2 x 1018 kilograms |
| Orbital period around the Sun | 1.76 Earth years (643 Earth days) |
| Number of moons | 0 |
Eros is the first asteroid to be landed upon by a spacecraft. (Image courtesy of NASA)
"Fast Facts: Asteroid Eros" is a table that lists the asteroid's age, location, average distance from the Sun, diameter, mass, orbital period around the Sun, number of moons, and distinguishing features. A picture of the asteroid is included.
Use this resource as:
A source of information. Read the table to find out about this object.
A large-number recognition activity. Have students review several solar system Fast Fact tables, including this one. Ask them to place the objects described in the Fast Fact tables in order, starting with the object closest to Earth and ending with the one farthest away. Students can arrange the Sun, planets, and asteroids from smallest to largest mass and/or diameter.
A compare/contrast activity. Have students review several Fast Facts tables for asteroids and comets. Students match the asteroids to statements that describe a unique feature of each asteroid, such as: This asteroid is the most geologically diverse, or this asteroid is a near-earth asteroid. Either the teacher or the students can generate the statements using information from the Fast Facts. Students also can create graphic organizers comparing the features of asteroids with those of comets.
An inquiry tool. Have students write down questions they would like answered about the image and the information in the Fast Facts table.
An engagement tool. Involve students in a discussion.
Amazing Space resources by topic: Solar system
