Encyclopedia of Science
NOTABLE ASTEROIDS & KBOS
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

                   • HOME
• ABOUT
• CATEGORIES
• USE OF TEXT AND IMAGES
• NEWSLETTER

  



Antiope (minor planet 90)


One of the components of the binary asteroid 90 Antiope as seen from the surface of the other, artist's rendering
Artist's rendering of one of the components of the binary asteroid 90 Antiope as seen from the surface of the other. Credit and ©: Mark Garlick (reproduced with permission)
90 Antiope, artist's rendering
Artist's rendering of the binary asteroid 90 Antiope. Credit: European Southern Observatory
The first asteroid shown to be a binary system (see binary asteroid); its two components, each about 85 km across, are separated by about 170 km, and appear to be rubble piles consisting of about 30 percent empty space (see rubble-pile asteroid). They complete an orbit around one another every 16.5 hours. Antiope was discovered in 1866 by the German astronomer R. Luther and is a member of the Themis family, located in the outer part of the main asteroid belt.


spectral class C
albedo 0.05
semimajor axis 3.155 AU
perihelion 2.665 AU
aphelion 3.645 AU
eccentricity 0.155
inclination 2.2°
period 5.60 years


Related entry

   • Antiope in mythology (Encyclopedia of History)


Related category

   • NOTABLE ASTEROIDS, CENTAURS, AND KUIPER BELT OBJECTS


Also on this site:

Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History


BACK TO TOP