130 Elektra
Encyclopedia
130 Elektra is a very large outer main-belt asteroid
. It was discovered by C. H. F. Peters
on February 17, 1873, and named after Electra
, an avenger in Greek mythology
.
Its spectrum is of the G type
, hence it probably has a Ceres
-like composition. Spectral signatures of organic compound
s have been seen on Elektra's surface.
In the late 1990s, a network of astronomers worldwide gathered lightcurve data that was ultimately used to derive the spin states and shape models of 10 new asteroids, including (130) Elektra.
Optical observations have found a satellite of this asteroid. Once the orbit is known, Elektra's mass can be reliably found. The value of 6.6 kg indicates a density of 1.3 ± 0.3 g/cm3. Optical observations have also determined that Elektra's shape is quite irregular, as well as giving indications of albedo
differences of 5-15% on its surface.
of Elektra was detected using the Keck II telescope. The diameter of the satellite is 4 km and it orbit
s at a distance of about 1170 km. The satellite has been given the provisional designation S/2003 (130) 1. Due to only a few observations to date, its orbit is still relatively loosely constrained.
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
. It was discovered by C. H. F. Peters
Christian Heinrich Friedrich Peters
Christian Heinrich Friedrich Peters was a German-American astronomer, and one of the first to discover asteroids....
on February 17, 1873, and named after Electra
Electra
In Greek mythology, Electra was an Argive princess and daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra. She and her brother Orestes plotted revenge against their mother Clytemnestra and stepfather Aegisthus for the murder of their father Agamemnon...
, an avenger in Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
.
Its spectrum is of the G type
G-type asteroid
G-type asteroids are a relatively uncommon type of carbonaceous asteroid. The most notable asteroid in this class is 1 Ceres.- Characteristics :Generally similar to the C-type objects, but containing a strong ultraviolet absorption feature below 0.5 μm...
, hence it probably has a Ceres
1 Ceres
Ceres, formally 1 Ceres, is the smallest identified dwarf planet in the Solar System and the only one in the asteroid belt. With a diameter of about 950 km, Ceres is by far the largest and most-massive asteroid, comprising about a third of the mass of the asteroid belt. Discovered on 1 January 1801...
-like composition. Spectral signatures of organic compound
Organic compound
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...
s have been seen on Elektra's surface.
In the late 1990s, a network of astronomers worldwide gathered lightcurve data that was ultimately used to derive the spin states and shape models of 10 new asteroids, including (130) Elektra.
Optical observations have found a satellite of this asteroid. Once the orbit is known, Elektra's mass can be reliably found. The value of 6.6 kg indicates a density of 1.3 ± 0.3 g/cm3. Optical observations have also determined that Elektra's shape is quite irregular, as well as giving indications of albedo
Albedo
Albedo , or reflection coefficient, is the diffuse reflectivity or reflecting power of a surface. It is defined as the ratio of reflected radiation from the surface to incident radiation upon it...
differences of 5-15% on its surface.
Satellite (S/2003 (130) 1)
In 2003, a small moonNatural satellite
A natural satellite or moon is a celestial body that orbits a planet or smaller body, which is called its primary. The two terms are used synonymously for non-artificial satellites of planets, of dwarf planets, and of minor planets....
of Elektra was detected using the Keck II telescope. The diameter of the satellite is 4 km and it orbit
Orbit
In physics, an orbit is the gravitationally curved path of an object around a point in space, for example the orbit of a planet around the center of a star system, such as the Solar System...
s at a distance of about 1170 km. The satellite has been given the provisional designation S/2003 (130) 1. Due to only a few observations to date, its orbit is still relatively loosely constrained.
External links
- 130 Elektra and S/2003 (130) 1, orbit data website maintained by F. Marchis. Includes adaptive optics image of primary, and satellite orbit diagram.
- Data on (130) Elektra from Johnston's archive (maintained by W. R. Johnston)