Asteroids are fascinating celestial bodies that orbit the sun and can sometimes be a threat to Earth. One such asteroid that has garnered attention in recent times is Hermes. So, how big is Asteroid Hermes?
Firstly, let’s take a look at what asteroids are and how they differ from other celestial bodies. Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the sun.
They are also known as minor planets or planetoids. Unlike comets, asteroids do not have a tail and are made up of different types of rock and metal.
Now coming back to Asteroid Hermes, it was discovered on October 28th, 1937 by Karl Reinmuth at the Heidelberg Observatory in Germany. It was named after the Greek god Hermes who was known for his speed and agility.
The size of Asteroid Hermes is estimated to be around 1.7 kilometers (1.1 miles) in length and 0.7 kilometers (0.4 miles) in width. This makes it one of the larger near-Earth asteroids.
One interesting fact about Asteroid Hermes is that it has an unusual orbit compared to other asteroids. Its orbit is highly elliptical which means that it travels closer to the sun than Mercury at its closest point and farther away than Mars at its farthest point.
Despite its size and unusual orbit, Asteroid Hermes poses no threat to Earth as it does not come close enough to us to cause any harm.
In conclusion, Asteroid Hermes is a relatively large near-Earth asteroid with a size of around 1. Its unusual orbit sets it apart from other asteroids but it poses no threat to Earth’s safety.
If you want to learn more about asteroids or other celestial bodies, be sure to check out our other articles!