130 Elektra facts for kids

130 Elektra is a very big farther main belt asteroid. It was found 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, so it is probably made up like Ceres. Spectral signatures of organic compounds have been seen on Elektra's surface

Recent optical sightings have found a moon (see below). Using its orbit, Elektra's mass can be found more correctly. The value of 1.3×10¹⁹ kg indicates an unusually high density (for asteroids) of 3.8 ± 0.3 g/cm³. Optical sightings have also determined that Elektra's shape is quite non-spherical, as well as giving indications of albedo differences of 5-15% on its surface.

Moon (S/2003 (130) 1)

In 2003, a small moon of Elektra was detected using the Keck II telescope. The diameter of the moon is 4 km and it orbits at a distance of about 1170 km. The moon has been given the provisional designation S/2003 (130) 1. Due to only a few sightings to date, its orbit is still not well known

Quick facts for kids
S/2003 (130) 1

Discovery
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
Minor planet category	Main belt
Orbital characteristics
Semi-major axis	1252 ± 30 km
Eccentricity	unknown, likely small
Orbital period	3.92 ± 0.03 d
Average orbital speed	23 m/s
Inclination	uncertain
Satellite of	130 Elektra
Physical characteristics
Dimensions	6 ± 2 km
Mass	~4×1014 kg
Equatorial escape velocity	~ 4 m/s
Absolute magnitude (H)	14.5

130 Elektra

Discovery
Discovered by	Christian Heinrich Friedrich Peters
Discovery date	February 17, 1873
Designations
Alternative designations
Minor planet category	Main belt
Orbital characteristics
Epoch December 31, 2006 (JD 2454100.5)
Aphelion	565.778 Gm (3.782 AU)
Perihelion	369.263 Gm (2.468 AU)
Semi-major axis	467.521 Gm (3.125 AU)
Eccentricity	0.210
Orbital period	2017.954 d (5.52 a)
Average orbital speed	16.66 km/s
Mean anomaly	225.604°
Inclination	22.838°
Longitude of ascending node	145.635°
Argument of perihelion	234.753°
Known satellites	S/2003 (130) 1
Physical characteristics
Dimensions	215×155 ± 12 km
Mass	1.28±0.10×1019 kg
Mean density	3.8 ± 0.3 g/cm³
Equatorial surface gravity	0.07 m/s²
Equatorial escape velocity	0.13 km/s
Sidereal rotation period	0.230103 d (5.52247 h)
Axial tilt	157°
Pole ecliptic latitude	-88°
Pole ecliptic longitude	68°
Geometric albedo	0.076 ± 0.011
Surface temp. min mean max Kelvin ~157 251 Celsius -23°
Spectral type	G
Absolute magnitude (H)	7.12

• 130 Elektra and S/2003 (130) 1, orbit data website maintained by F. Marchis. Includes adaptive optics image of primary, and satellite orbit diagram.

Images for kids

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  Lightcurve-based 3D-model of 130 Elektra

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  Elektra (brightness muted) and its two moons