18 Melpomene

18 Melpomene ( /mɛlˈpɒmɨniː/ mel-POM-i-nee; Greek: Μελπομένη) is a large, bright main-belt asteroid. It is composed of silicates and metals. It was discovered by J. R. Hind on June 24, 1852, and named after Melpomene, the Muse of tragedy in Greek mythology. 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 design... More

Discoverer:

Discovery Date:

  • Jun 24, 1852

Astronomy

Orbits:

Member of Asteroid Group:

Absolute Magnitude:

  • 6.51

Periapsis:

  • 268,472,000 km (166820767 mi )

Aoapsis:

  • 418,414,000 km (259990406 mi )

Orbit Eccentricity:

  • 0.218

Orbital Period:

  • 3 yr. 5 mon 23 d 11 h 14 min 38 s

Average Orbital Speed:

  • 19.42 km/s (43440 mph )

Semi-major Axis:

  • 343,443,000 km (213405586 mi )
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Namesake

Named after:

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