238 Hypatia

238 Hypatia
Discovery
Discovered by Viktor Knorre
Discovery date July 1, 1884
Designations
Named after Hypatia
Alternate name(s) 1947 HA
Minor planet
category
Main belt
Epoch 30 January 2005 (JD 2453400.5)
Aphelion 473.399 Gm (3.164 AU)
Perihelion 396.128 Gm (2.648 AU)
Semi-major axis 434.763 Gm (2.906 AU)
Eccentricity 0.089
Orbital period 1809.596 d (4.95 a)
Average orbital speed 17.47 km/s
Mean anomaly 59.101°
Inclination 12.408°
Longitude of ascending node 184.2°
Argument of perihelion 206.935°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions 149.0 km
Mass unknown
Mean density unknown
Equatorial surface gravity unknown
Escape velocity unknown
Rotation period 8.86 h
Albedo 0.042
Temperature unknown
Spectral type C
Absolute magnitude (H) 8.18

238 Hypatia is a very large main-belt asteroid. It is classified as a C-type asteroid and is probably composed of primitive carbonaceous material. Like many asteroids of this type, its surface is very dark in colour.

It was discovered by Viktor Knorre on July 1, 1884, in Berlin. It was the third of his four asteroid discoveries.

The name was given in honour of philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria.

References