The discovery of 433 Eros, the first near-Earth asteroid, came as a milestone in astronomical research. Carl Gustav Witt, a German astronomer at the Berlin Observatory, spotted Eros using a telescope optimized for tracking celestial movements. This was an era when astronomers were beginning to understand the nature of asteroids and their relationship to Earth. Eros was notable not only for being the first of its kind to be classified as a near-Earth asteroid but also for its relatively close orbit compared to other known asteroids at the time. Witt's calculations suggested that Eros had an orbital period of approximately 1.76 years, making it a particularly interesting object of study.Eros was initially thought to be a potential threat to Earth, which urged scientists to study its orbit and trajectory further. The discovery prompted increased interest in the field of asteroid research, leading to numerous discoveries in the following decades. The size of Eros, estimated to be around 16.8 kilometers in diameter, enabled astronomers to understand better the physical characteristics of such celestial bodies. This understanding would later influence plans for space exploration of asteroids and other celestial phenomena, particularly during the space race of the mid-20th century.Furthermore, the work done surrounding Eros set a precedent for discovering and studying other near-Earth objects, leading to advancements in tracking and deflecting potential asteroid threats. The significance of discovering Eros was not only in its scientific value but also in how it laid the foundation for future explorations of asteroids, including missions that would eventually land on and study these ancient celestial bodies. As researchers identified more near-Earth asteroids in subsequent years, interest in planetary defense and the potential for utilizing asteroids as resources began to flourish.