![]() Three-dimensional model of 18 Melpomene created using light-curve inversions | |
Discovery | |
---|---|
Discovered by | John Russell Hind |
Discovery date | June 24, 1852 |
Designations | |
(18) Melpomene | |
Pronunciation | /mɛlˈpɒmɪniː/[1] |
Named after | Melpomenē |
Main belt | |
Adjectives | Melpomenean /mɛlpɒmɪˈniːən/[2] |
Orbital characteristics[3] | |
Epoch October 22, 2004 (JD 2453300.5) | |
Aphelion | 418.414 Gm (2.797 AU) |
Perihelion | 268.472 Gm (1.795 AU) |
343.443 Gm (2.296 AU) | |
Eccentricity | 0.218 |
1270.552 d (3.48 a) | |
205.245° | |
Inclination | 10.126° |
150.547° | |
227.975° | |
Physical characteristics | |
Dimensions | 170 × 155 × 129 km[4] (150×125 km)[5] (150×170 km)[6] 140.6 ± 2.8 km (IRAS)[3] |
Mass | 3.0×1018 kg[4] |
Mean density | 1.69±0.66 g/cm3[4] |
0.482 21 d (11.57 h)[3][7] | |
0.223[3][8] | |
S[3] | |
7.5[9] to 12.0 | |
6.51[3] | |
0.23" to 0.059" | |
Melpomene (minor planet designation: 18 Melpomene) is a large, bright main-belt asteroid that was discovered by J. R. Hind on June 24, 1852,[10] and named after Melpomenē, the Muse of tragedy in Greek mythology. It is classified as an S-type asteroid and is composed of silicates and metals.
Melpomene occulted the star SAO 114159 on December 11, 1978. A possible Melpomenean satellite with a diameter at least 37 km was detected. The satellite candidate received a provisional designation S/1978 (18) 1.[11] In 1988 a search for satellites or dust orbiting this asteroid was performed using the UH88 telescope at the Mauna Kea Observatories, but the effort came up empty.[12] Melpomene was observed with the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993. It was able to resolve the asteroid's slightly elongated shape, but no satellites were detected.[5]
Melpomene has been studied by radar.[13]