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29 Amphitrite facts for kids

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29 Amphitrite
Discovery
Discovered by A. Marth
Discovery date March 1, 1854
Designations
A899 NG
Main belt
Orbital characteristics
Epoch June 14, 2006 (JD 2453900.5)
Aphelion 409.809 Gm (2.739 AU)
Perihelion 354.398 Gm (2.369 AU)
382.103 Gm (2.554 AU)
Eccentricity 0.073
1491.013 d (4.08 a)
18.61 km/s
229.662°
Inclination 6.096°
356.501°
63.433°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions 212.2 km
Mass 1.0×1019 kg
Mean density
2.0 g/cm³
0.0593 m/s²
0.1122 km/s
0.2246 d (5.390 h)
Albedo 0.1793 (geometric
Temperature ~170 K
Spectral type
S
8.58 to 11.38
5.85
0.21" to 0.078"

29 Amphitrite is one of the biggest S-type asteroids, probably third in diameter after Eunomia and Juno, although Iris and Herculina are similar in size.

It is probably not a fully solid body, since its density is too low for a solid silicate object and much lower than Eunomia or Juno. Its orbit is less eccentric and inclined than those of its bigger cousins - being indeed the most circular of any asteroid found up to that point - and as a consequence it never becomes as bright as Iris or Hebe, especially as it is much farther from the Sun than those asteroids. It can reach magnitudes of around +8.6 at a favorable opposition, but more usually is around the binocular limit of +9.5.

Amphitrite was found by Albert Marth on March 1, 1854. It was the only asteroid he found. It is named after Amphitrite, a sea goddess in Greek mythology.

A moon is suspected based on the lightcurve data.



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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: (29) Amphitrite para niños

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