description 10 Hygiea Overview
The asteroid 10 Hygiea is a significant member of the Hygiea family within the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It’s notable for being the fourth largest asteroid by volume and possesses a surprisingly rounded shape, as indicated by recent research. This discovery, made in 1849, raises questions about its potential classification as a dwarf planet due to its unusual form. Scientists studying asteroids and planetary formation find it valuable for understanding early solar system processes and compositional diversity.
help 10 Hygiea FAQ
How large is the asteroid 10 Hygiea?
10 Hygiea is the fourth largest asteroid in the main asteroid belt by both volume and mass. It has a mean diameter of roughly 433 kilometers, making it just slightly smaller than the dwarf planet Ceres.
Why is 10 Hygiea considered a potential dwarf planet?
Observations by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in 2019 revealed that 10 Hygiea is surprisingly spherical. Because it meets the criteria of having enough mass to assume a rounded shape from its own gravity, it is a strong candidate for reclassification as a dwarf planet.
Where is 10 Hygiea located in the solar system?
It is located in the main asteroid belt, orbiting the Sun between the planets Mars and Jupiter. It is the primary member of the Hygiea family, a massive cluster of asteroids that share a similar chemical composition and orbital path.
When and by whom was 10 Hygiea discovered?
The asteroid was discovered by the Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis on April 12, 1849. It was named after Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, which was a nod to the goddess of the observer's medical doctor.
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