Asteroids On the first day of January 1801, Giuseppe Piazzi discovered an object which he first thought was a new comet. But after its orbit was better determined it was clear that it was not a comet but more like a small planet. Piazzi named it Ceres, after the Sicilian goddess of grain. Three other small bodies were discovered in the next few years (Pallas, Vesta, and Juno). By the end of the 19th century there were several hundred. Several hundred thousand asteroids have been discovered ...

NEAR Shoemaker's Final Images Descent to Eros information February 14 Press Conference slides NEAR Shoemaker's Descent Movies Science Update On Monday, 12 February 2001, the NEAR spacecraft touched down on asteroid Eros, after transmitting 69 close-up images of the surface during its final descent. Watching that event was the most exciting experience of my life. [More] Science Update Archive Where Is NEAR Shoemaker? Landed on Eros Feb. 12, 2001 Where is Eros? Missi ...

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