464 Megaira
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 Lightcurve-base 3D-model of 464 Megaira. | |
| Discovery[1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | M. F. Wolf |
| Discovery site | Heidelberg Obs. |
| Discovery date | 9 January 1901 |
| Designations | |
| (464) Megaira | |
| Pronunciation | /mɪˈɡaɪərə/ (Megaira) /mɪˈdʒɪərə/ (Megaera)[2] |
Named after | Megaera (Greek mythology)[3] |
| A901 AB · 1929 AH A912 JB · A912 JC A916 FD · 1901 FV | |
| Orbital characteristics[4] | |
| Epoch 31 May 2020 (JD 2459000.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
| Observation arc | 119.07 yr (43,489 d) |
| Aphelion | 3.3764 AU |
| Perihelion | 2.2248 AU |
| 2.8006 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.2056 |
| 4.69 yr (1,712 d) | |
| 253.43° | |
| 0° 12m 37.08s / day | |
| Inclination | 10.170° |
| 102.37° | |
| 258.19° | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| 12.879±0.001 h[10] | |
| 9.7[1][4] | |
464 Megaira (prov. designation: A901 AB or 1901 FV) is a dark and large background asteroid, approximately 77 kilometers (48 miles) in diameter, located in the central region of the asteroid belt. It was discovered by astronomer Max Wolf at the Heidelberg Observatory in southwest Germany on 9 January 1901.[1] The carbonaceous C-type asteroid (FX) has a rotation period of 12.9 hours. It was named after Megaera from Greek mythology.[3]
Megaira is a non-family asteroid of the main belt's background population when applying the hierarchical clustering method to its proper orbital elements.[5][6] It orbits the Sun in the central asteroid belt at a distance of 2.2–3.4 AU once every 4 years and 8 months (1,712 days; semi-major axis of 2.8 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.21 and an inclination of 10° with respect to the ecliptic.[4] The body's observation arc begins at Heidelberg Observatory with its official discovery observation on 9 January 1901.[1]
Naming
This minor planet was named after Megaera, the avenging spirit from Greek mythology. She is one of the three Erinyes (Furies), who bring retribution on those guilty of sins. The naming was also mentioned in The Names of the Minor Planets by Paul Herget in 1955 (H 50).[3] It was the first numbered minor planet detected in the 20th century.[3]
