description 18 Melpomene Overview
18 Melpomene is a large, bright asteroid in the inner main belt. English astronomer John Russell Hind discovered it on June 24, 1852, and it was named after Melpomene, the Muse of tragedy in Greek mythology. Classified as an S-type asteroid, it belongs to a group of stony bodies whose surfaces are associated with silicate minerals. Its early discovery and relatively high brightness made it a notable object in the nineteenth-century study of the asteroid belt.
help 18 Melpomene FAQ
Who discovered asteroid 18 Melpomene?
English astronomer John Russell Hind discovered 18 Melpomene on June 24, 1852. The asteroid was later named for Melpomene, the Muse of tragedy in Greek mythology.
Where is 18 Melpomene located?
18 Melpomene is a large, bright asteroid in the inner main belt. It orbits the Sun in the region between Mars and the inner planets, as part of the main asteroid population.
What type of asteroid is 18 Melpomene?
18 Melpomene is classified as an S-type asteroid. S-type bodies are generally stony and reflect the rocky composition associated with many inner-main-belt asteroids.
Why is asteroid 18 Melpomene named Melpomene?
The name comes from Melpomene, the Muse of tragedy in Greek mythology. The number 18 indicates that it was the eighteenth asteroid to receive an official numbered designation.
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