38 Leda

38 Leda
A three-dimensional model of 38 Leda based on its light curve
Discovery
Discovered byJ. Chacornac
Discovery dateJanuary 12, 1856
Designations
Designation
(38) Leda
Pronunciation/ˈldə/[1]
Named after
Leda
A904 SF; 1949 QO2
Main belt
AdjectivesLedean /lɪˈdən/ (Latin Lēdæ-us)
Orbital characteristics
Epoch December 31, 2006 (JD 2454100.5)
Aphelion472.587 Gm (3.159 AU)
Perihelion348.232 Gm (2.328 AU)
410.409 Gm (2.743 AU)
Eccentricity0.152
1659.725 d (4.54 a)
17.88 km/s
107.567°
Inclination6.955°
295.890°
168.804°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions92.255 ± 0.490 km[2]
Mass(7.16 ± 3.38/2.24)×1017 kg[3]
Mean density
1.743 ± 0.822/0.544 g/cm3[3]
0.0225 m/s²
0.0455 km/s
0.5350 d (12.84 h) [2]
Albedo0.055 [2]
Temperature~170 K
Spectral type
C[2]
8.32

38 Leda is a large, dark main-belt asteroid that was discovered by French astronomer J. Chacornac on January 12, 1856, and named after Leda, the mother of Helen of Troy in Greek mythology. In the Tholen classification system, it is categorized as a carbonaceous C-type asteroid, while the Bus asteroid taxonomy system lists it as a Cgh asteroid.[4] The spectra of the asteroid displays evidence of aqueous alteration.[5]

Leda has been studied by radar.[6] During 2002, 38 Leda was observed by radar from the Arecibo Observatory. The return signal matched an effective diameter of 116 ± 13 km. This is consistent with some asteroid dimensions computed through other means.[7][8] Based upon a light curve that was generated from photometric observations of this asteroid at Pulkovo Observatory, it has a rotation period of 12.834 ± 0.001 hours and varies in brightness by 0.15 ± 0.01 in magnitude.[9]

  1. ^ Noah Webster (1884) A Practical Dictionary of the English Language
  2. ^ a b c d "38 Leda". JPL Small-Body Database. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. SPK-ID: 38. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference FiengaEtAl2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference DeMeo2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fornasier1999 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference detected was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference icarus186_1_126 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Carry2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Pilcher2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).