951 Gaspra

951 Gaspra
Galileo image of Gaspra; colors are exaggerated
Discovery[1][2]
Discovered byG. Neujmin
Discovery siteSimeiz Obs.
Discovery date30 July 1916
Designations
(951) Gaspra
Pronunciation/ˈɡæsprə/
Named after
Gaspra[3]
(Crimean spa town)
1916 S45 · 1916 Σ45
SIGMA 45 · A913 YA
1955 MG1
main-belt · (inner)
Flora[4]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc103.54 yr (37,819 days)
Aphelion2.5931 AU
Perihelion1.8267 AU
2.2099 AU
Eccentricity0.1734
3.29 yr (1,200 days)
232.83°
0° 18m 0s / day
Inclination4.1063°
253.06°
129.94°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions18.2 km × 10.5 km × 8.9 km[5]
12.2 km (mean diameter)[1]
Mass2–3 × 1015 kg (estimate)
Mean density
~2.7 g/cm3 (estimate)[6]
7.042 h (0.293 d)[1]
72°[5]
0.246±0.032[1]
Tholen = S[1]
SMASS = S[1]
B–V = 0.870[1]
U–B = 0.554[1]
11.46[1]

951 Gaspra is an S-type asteroid that orbits very close to the inner edge of the asteroid belt. Gaspra was discovered by Russian astronomer G. N. Neujmin in 1916. Neujmin named it after Gaspra, a Black Sea retreat that was visited by his contemporaries, such as Gorky and Tolstoy.

Gaspra was the first asteroid ever to be closely approached when it was visited by the Galileo spacecraft, which flew by on its way to Jupiter on 29 October 1991.[7]

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  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Thomas94 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Belton92 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).