Four subsequent braking burns slowed the craft to a soft landing. Because it takes 17.5 minutes for light to travel from the craft to Earth, scientists had little information at the time of touchdown, except that the craft was still functioning. Astronomers are also interested in the composition of this rock because it is probably a remnant from the formation of the rocky inner planets of our solar system some 4.5 billion years ago. Conn. Astronomers have discovered a new object orbiting the sun that is smaller than a planet but larger than most known asteroids. The object is classified as a minor planet, like thousands of other asteroids and comets in our solar system.
Astronomers officially recognize nine major planets.
EB173 is too small to fit that category. Astronomers believe the Kuiper Belt is filled with hundreds of thousands of small, icy objects. Several, including EB173, are much larger. Pluto was discovered by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. Many astronomers believe it would be classified as a minor planet in the Kuiper Belt if it were found today.