161 Athor
Encyclopedia
161 Athor is an M-type
Main belt
asteroid
that was discovered by James Craig Watson
on April 19, 1876 at the Detroit Observatory
and named after Hathor
, an Egyptian
fertility goddess. An occultation by Athor was observed, on October 15, 2002 resulting in an estimated diameter of 47 kilometres (29.2 mi).
M-type asteroid
M-type asteroids are asteroids of partially known composition; they are moderately bright . Some, but not all, are made of nickel-iron, either pure or mixed with small amounts of stone. These are thought to be pieces of the metallic core of differentiated asteroids that were fragmented by impacts,...
Main belt
Asteroid belt
The asteroid belt is the region of the Solar System located roughly between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. It is occupied by numerous irregularly shaped bodies called asteroids or minor planets...
asteroid
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...
that was discovered by James Craig Watson
James Craig Watson
James Craig Watson was a Canadian-American astronomer born in the village of Fingal, Ontario Canada. His family relocated to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1850....
on April 19, 1876 at the Detroit Observatory
Detroit Observatory
The Detroit Observatory sits on the corner of Observatory and Ann streets in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was built in 1854, and was the first scientific research facility at the University of Michigan...
and named after Hathor
Hathor
Hathor , is an Ancient Egyptian goddess who personified the principles of love, beauty, music, motherhood and joy. She was one of the most important and popular deities throughout the history of Ancient Egypt...
, an Egyptian
Egyptian mythology
Ancient Egyptian religion was a complex system of polytheistic beliefs and rituals which were an integral part of ancient Egyptian society. It centered on the Egyptians' interaction with a multitude of deities who were believed to be present in, and in control of, the forces and elements of nature...
fertility goddess. An occultation by Athor was observed, on October 15, 2002 resulting in an estimated diameter of 47 kilometres (29.2 mi).