description 20 Massalia Overview
20 Massalia is a large main-belt asteroid discovered by Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis on 19 September 1852. Its name comes from Massalia, the ancient Greek name for Marseille, where astronomer Jean Chacornac independently observed it soon after the discovery. It is an S-type, or stony, asteroid and the principal namesake of the Massalia family of objects with related orbital properties.
help 20 Massalia FAQ
Who discovered asteroid 20 Massalia?
Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis discovered 20 Massalia on 19 September 1852. Astronomer Jean Chacornac independently observed it soon afterward.
Why is the asteroid called Massalia?
Massalia is the ancient Greek name for Marseille. The name connects the asteroid with Marseille, where Jean Chacornac independently observed it after the discovery.
What type of asteroid is 20 Massalia?
20 Massalia is a large main-belt asteroid with an S-type classification. S-type asteroids are generally associated with stony, silicate-rich material.
What does the number 20 mean in 20 Massalia?
The number is the asteroid's permanent catalog number, distinguishing it from other named minor planets. Its discovery date was 19 September 1852, during the early period of asteroid discovery.
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