45 Eugenia - Physical Characteristics

Physical Characteristics

Eugenia is a large asteroid, with a diameter of 214 km. It is an F-type asteroid, which means that it is very dark in colouring (darker than soot) with a carbonaceous composition. Like Mathilde, its density appears to be unusually low, indicating that it may be a loosely-packed rubble pile, not a monolithic object. Eugenia appears to be almost anhydrous.

Lightcurve analysis indicates that Eugenia's pole most likely points towards ecliptic coordinates (β, λ) = (-30°, 124°) with a 10° uncertainty, which gives it an axial tilt of 117°. Eugenia's rotation is then retrograde.

Read more about this topic:  45 Eugenia

Famous quotes containing the word physical:

    Public Opinion ... an attempt to organise the ignorance of the community, and to elevate it to the dignity of physical force.
    Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)