27101

27101 refers to a specific designation used in various contexts, most notably in the field of astronomy and space exploration. It is the catalog number assigned to an asteroid discovered by astronomers. The asteroid, officially named 27101, was first observed on September 16, 1998, by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program, a collaborative project between NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. This program is dedicated to detecting and tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs) that could pose a potential threat to Earth.

27101 is classified as a main-belt asteroid, meaning it orbits the Sun primarily between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Its orbit is relatively stable, and there is no known risk of it colliding with Earth. The asteroid has an estimated diameter of approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) and belongs to the Flora family, a group of stony asteroids that share similar orbital characteristics and compositions.

In addition to its astronomical significance, 27101 has also been referenced in popular culture, particularly in the context of the *Mass Effect* video game series. In the *Mass Effect* universe, 27101 is the designation of a fictional asteroid known as "27101 Eros," which serves as a key location in the story. This fictionalized version of the asteroid is notable for being a site of human colonization and a hub for trade and conflict within the game's narrative.

While the real 27101 is an unremarkable but scientifically interesting object in the asteroid belt, its fictional counterpart has gained broader recognition through its appearances in the *Mass Effect* series. The real asteroid continues to be studied by astronomers to better understand the dynamics and composition of the main asteroid belt.