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Eros Parallax Project


Eros Parallax Project Begins! Join the project Tonight many amateur astronomers and school classes are eagerly awaiting the asteroid Eros, now at its closest to Earth. From January 28 to February 3 they will take an image of Eros either through a telescope or with a telephoto lens. Photographs of Eros submitted by amateur astronomers around the world will show slight differences in the asteroid’s position due to parallax. Along with each observer’s location, this parallax information will be used to find a precise distance to Eros, just like professional astronomers did in January 1931. The Eros Parallax Project is first and foremost fun to take part in. You don’t have to be an experienced astrophotographer to be able to make valuable observations. An ordinary SRL camera with telephoto lens, mounted on a tripod, could be enough. Using free, online software you will determine the celestial coordinates of Eros on your images and submit the data to the project website. With the data submitted by you and the other participants, the distance to Eros will be calculated. The instructions on the project website are clear and simple to follow. The Eros Parallax Project is also a great educational opportunity; the data and submitted images will be made available for classrooms to use to find the distance themselves. This resource will last forever, and will certainly inspire some young astronomers to take part the next time Eros comes close to Earth again. It will also prepare classrooms for the even rarer event coming in June – the transit of Venus. Along with enjoying the night sky, developing observing skills and gaining an understanding of our solar system, participants and the students who benefit will repeat the work of the professional astronomers of the 1930s and learn about real research. See the Eros Parallax Project web page for more information on how to take part.
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