Inner Earth Object

Inner Earth Objects , or IEOs for short, are the names of asteroids that move entirely within the orbit of the earth . Other names, mainly in English-speaking countries, are Apohele-Asteroid s, Interior-Earth Objects or Atira-Asteroid s. They are defined by their orbit, not by their (temporary) proximity to the earth , so they are not to be confused with the near-earth asteroids (NEA). Asteroids that move even completely within the orbit of Venus are called Vatira asteroids .

The first IEO was discovered by David J. Tholen in 1998 ( 1998 DK ₃₆ ). 2003 CP ₂₀ (also known as (163693) Atira ) was the first precise observation of such an asteroid in 2003. It moves between the orbits of Earth and Mercury and has a diameter of about two kilometers. As of November 10, 2013, a total of thirteen IEOs had been discovered. Model calculations show that there should be a total of more than 1000 that are 100 meters or larger.

Since IEOs can only be seen in the daytime sky or at dusk due to their orbit , their discovery and observation - especially from Earth - is extremely difficult. Researchers from the German Aerospace Center are planning to build a satellite called “AsteroidFinder”, which will enable observation outside the Earth's atmosphere .

Individual evidence

1. ^ Tilmann Althaus: Around the sun in 150 days. In: spectrum. January 10, 2020, accessed January 28, 2020 . 
2. ↑ Research project "AsteroidFinder" - How a German satellite is supposed to save the world - Article in Spiegel Online, March 20, 2010