161 Athor

Main-belt asteroid From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

161 Athor is an M-type Main belt asteroid that was discovered by James Craig Watson on 19 April 1876, at the Detroit Observatory[1] and named after Hathor, an Egyptian fertility goddess. It is the namesake of a proposed Athor asteroid family, estimated to be ~3 billion years old.[12]

Quick facts Discovery, Discovered by ...
161 Athor
A three-dimensional model of 161 Athor based on its light curve.
Discovery[1]
Discovered byJames Craig Watson
Discovery siteDetroit Observatory
Discovery date19 April 1876
Designations
(161) Athor
Pronunciation/ˈæθər/,[2] /ˈɑːθər/[3]
Named after
Hathor
A876 HA; 1899 TA;
1961 PF; 1973 YN4
Main belt[4]
Orbital characteristics[4][5]
Epoch 31 July 2016 (JD 2457600.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc116.50 yr (42551 d)
Aphelion2.70593 AU (404.801 Gm)
Perihelion2.05285 AU (307.102 Gm)
2.37939 AU (355.952 Gm)
Eccentricity0.137237
3.67 yr (1340.6 d)
348.807°
0° 16m 6.737s / day
Inclination9.05986°
18.6090°
2024-Jan-13
295.007°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions44.19±3.3 km[4]
Mean diameter[6]
47.0±0.2 km
circular fit[7]
7.280 h (0.3033 d)[4]
7.281 ± 0.001 hours[8]
7.288 ± 0.007 hours[9]
0.1980±0.033[4][6]
M[10]
9.15[4][11]
Close

Photometric observations of the minor planet in 2010 gave a rotation period of 7.2798±0.0001 h with an amplitude of 0.19±0.02 in magnitude. This result is consistent with previous determinations.[13] An occultation by Athor was observed, on 15 October 2002, showing an estimated diameter of 47.0 kilometres (29.2 mi).[7] The spectra is similar to that of carbonaceous chondrites, with characteristics of ferric oxides and little or no hydrated minerals.[14]

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI