130 Elektra

130 Elektra is a very large outer main-belt asteroid. It was discovered by C. H. F. Peters on February 17, 1873, and named after Electra, an avenger in Greek mythology.

Its spectrum is of the G type, hence it probably has a Ceres-like composition. Spectral signatures of organic compounds have been seen on Elektra's surface.[1]

In the late 1990s, a network of astronomers worldwide gathered lightcurve data that was ultimately used to derive the spin states and shape models of 10 new asteroids, including (130) Elektra. The light curve of (130) Elektra forms a double sinusoid while the shape model is elongated and the derived rotation axis is perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic.[2][3]

Optical observations have found two satellites of this asteroid. Once the orbits are known, Elektra's mass can be reliably found. The value of 6.6×1018 kg indicates a density of 1.3 ± 0.3 g/cm3. Optical observations have also determined that Elektra's shape is quite irregular, as well as giving indications of albedo differences of 5-15% on its surface.[4]

Satellites S/2003 (130) 1 and S/2014 (130) 1

In 2003, a small moon of (130) Elektra was detected using the Keck II telescope. The diameter of the satellite is 4 km and it orbits at a distance of about 1170 km. The satellite has been given the provisional designation S/2003 (130) 1. Due to only a few observations to date, its orbit is still relatively loosely constrained.[5] In December 2014 a slightly smaller moon, orbiting Elektra about three times closer than S/2003 (130) 1, was discovered using the SPHERE instrument on the VLT's Melipal (UT3) telescope. This second satellite has been provisionally named S/2014 (130) 1.
S/2003 (130) 1
Discovery[6] and designation
Discovered by W. J. Merline, P. M. Tamblyn,
C. Dumas, L. M. Close,
C. R. Chapman, and F. Menard
Discovery date 15 August 2003
Designations
Main belt
Orbital characteristics[7]
1318 ± 25 km
Eccentricity 0.13 ± 0.03
5.258 ± 0.0053 d
23 m/s
Inclination 3
Satellite of 130 Elektra
Physical characteristics
Dimensions 7 ± 3 km [4]
Mass ~4×1014 kg [8]
Equatorial escape velocity
 ~ 4 m/s
14.5[4]
    S/2003 (130) 1
    Discovery and designation
    Discovered by B. Yang, Z. Wahhaj,
    M. Marsset, J. Milli,
    C. Dumas, and F. Marchis
    Discovery date December 6 2014
    Designations
    Main belt
    Orbital characteristics
    460
    Eccentricity ?
    1.1 d
    Inclination ?
    Satellite of 130 Elektra
    Physical characteristics
    Dimensions 5.2 ± 1.2 km
      130 Elektra

      A three-dimensional model of 130 Elektra based on its light curve.
      Discovery[9] and designation
      Discovered by Christian Heinrich Friedrich Peters
      Discovery date February 17, 1873
      Designations
      Named after
      		 Electra
      Main belt
      Orbital characteristics[10]
      Epoch December 31, 2006 (JD 2454100.5)
      Aphelion 565.778 Gm (3.782 AU)
      Perihelion 369.263 Gm (2.468 AU)
      467.521 Gm (3.125 AU)
      Eccentricity 0.210
      2017.954 d (5.52 a)
      16.66 km/s
      225.604°
      Inclination 22.838°
      145.635°
      234.753°
      Known satellites S/2003 (130) 1
      S/2014 (130) 1
      Physical characteristics
      Dimensions 215×155 ± 12 km[11][12][13][14]
      Mass 6.6±0.4×1018 kg[7]
      1.28±0.10×1019 kg[5][15]
      Mean density
      		 1.3 ± 0.3 g/cm3[7]
      3.8 ± 0.3 g/cm3[5]
      Equatorial surface gravity
      		 0.07 m/s2[16]
      Equatorial escape velocity
      		 0.13 km/s[16]
      0.230103 d (5.52247 h)[4]
      157°
      Pole ecliptic latitude
      		 -88°[4]
      Pole ecliptic longitude
      		 68°
      0.076 ± 0.011 [12]
      Surface temp. min mean max
      Kelvin ~157 251
      Celsius -23°
      G [17]
      7.12 [12]

        References

        1. ↑ D.P. Cruikshank and R.H. Brown (1987). "Organic Matter on Asteroid 130 Elektra". Science 238 (4824): 183–4. Bibcode:1987Sci...238..183C. doi:10.1126/science.238.4824.183. PMID 17800458.
        2. ↑ Durech, J. et al. (April 2007), "Physical models of ten asteroids from an observers' collaboration network", Astronomy and Astrophysics 465 (1): 331–337, Bibcode:2007A&A...465..331D, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20066347.
        3. ↑ Durech, J.; Kaasalainen, M.; Marciniak, A.; Allen, W. H. (2007). "Asteroid brightness and geometry". Astronomy and Astrophysics 465 (1): 331–337.
        4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 F. Marchis et al. (2006). "Shape, size and multiplicity of main-belt asteroids I. Keck Adaptive Optics survey". Icarus 185 (1): 39–63. Bibcode:2006Icar..185...39M. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2006.06.001. PMC 2600456. PMID 19081813.
        5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 130 Elektra and S/2003 (130) 1, orbit data website maintained by F. Marchis.
        6. ↑ IAUC 8183
        7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Marchis, Franck; P. Descamps, J. Berthier, D. hestroffer, F. vachier, M. Baek, A. Harris, D. Nesvorny (2008). "Main Belt Binary Asteroidal Systems With Eccentric Mutual Orbits". Icarus 195 (1): 295–316. arXiv:0804.1385. Bibcode:2008Icar..195..295M. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2007.12.010.
        8. ↑ Assuming a similar density to the primary.
        9. ↑ Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets, Minor Planet Centre
        10. ↑ ASTORB orbital elements database, Lowell Observatory
        11. ↑ Based in IRAS mean diameter of 182±12 km, a/b ratio of 1.4 as per the following references
        12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Supplemental IRAS Minor Planet Survey
        13. ↑ PDS node spin vector database (in particular, the synthetic compiled value of a/b=1.4).
        14. ↑ (130) Elektra and S/2003 (130) 1, at Johnston's archive (maintained by W. R. Johnston).
        15. ↑ Error estimate derived from consideration of M \propto a^3/P^2 and given errors in a and P. See propagation of uncertainty.
        16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 On the extremities of the long axis.
        17. ↑ PDS node taxonomy database

        External links