Amor asteroid facts for kids
An Amor asteroid is a special type of asteroid that travels close to Earth. These asteroids are named after the first one discovered in this group, called 1221 Amor.
Most asteroids that come near Earth actually cross Earth's path in space. But nearly all Amor asteroids do not cross Earth's path. Instead, they stay just outside Earth's orbit (the path Earth takes around the Sun). However, they do cross the orbit of Mars.
One of the most famous Amor asteroids is 433 Eros. A spacecraft called the NEAR Shoemaker even orbited around it and landed on it!
Scientists have found about 1,200 Amor asteroids so far. About 200 of these have been given a number, and only about 50 have been given a name.
Famous Amor Asteroids
Here are some well-known Amor asteroids, listed from the most recently discovered to the oldest:
| Name | Year Discovered | Discoverer |
|---|---|---|
| 3908 Nyx | 1980 | Hans-Emil Schuster |
| 1221 Amor | 1932 | Eugène Joseph Delporte |
| 1036 Ganymed | 1924 | Walter Baade |
| 887 Alinda | 1918 | Max Wolf |
| 719 Albert | 1911 | Johann Palisa |
| 433 Eros | 1898 | Gustav Witt |
Related pages
- List of named Amor asteroids
See also
In Spanish: Asteroide Amor para niños
