Is Hermes an Asteroid?

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Hermes is a small celestial body that was discovered in 1937 by Karl Reinmuth, a German astronomer. It is classified as a near-Earth object (NEO) and has been the subject of much interest and speculation among scientists and enthusiasts alike.

What is an asteroid?

Before we discuss whether Hermes is an asteroid or not, it’s important to understand what asteroids are. Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the sun. They are often referred to as minor planets and can range in size from just a few meters to several hundred kilometers in diameter.

Is Hermes an asteroid?

Yes, Hermes is classified as an asteroid. Specifically, it is a NEO which means it has an orbit that brings it within 1.3 astronomical units (AU) of the sun (1 AU is the distance between the Earth and the Sun). Hermes’ orbit takes it between Earth and Mars, making it one of only a few known NEOs to have such an orbit.

Characteristics of Hermes

Hermes is relatively small compared to other asteroids, measuring just 1.2 kilometers in diameter. It has an irregular shape and rotates around its axis every 12.4 hours. Its surface is covered in craters, indicating that it has been impacted by other objects numerous times throughout its history.

Discovery of Hermes

Hermes was discovered on October 28th, 1937 by Karl Reinmuth using photographic plates from the Heidelberg Observatory in Germany. At first, astronomers thought that Hermes might be a new comet due to its unusual orbit which brings it very close to Earth at times.

However, further observations showed that Hermes did not have a coma or tail like comets do, leading scientists to classify it as an asteroid instead.

The Future of Hermes

Hermes is considered a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) due to its orbit that brings it close to Earth. However, its small size means that it is unlikely to cause any significant damage if it were to collide with our planet.

In 2028, Hermes is expected to pass within 0.017 AU (2.5 million km) of Earth, which will make it visible in binoculars and small telescopes for amateur astronomers.

Conclusion

In summary, Hermes is indeed an asteroid and a particularly interesting one due to its irregular shape and orbit that brings it so close to Earth. While it poses little threat of collision with our planet, its discovery and study continue to provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system.

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