896 Sphinx

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000896-asteroid shape model (896) Sphinx

896 Sphinx is a minor planet located within our Solar System. It was discovered on September 1, 1918, by astronomer Max Wolf at the Heidelberg-Königstuhl State Observatory in Germany. The discovery of 896 Sphinx added to the growing list of known asteroids orbiting the Sun. Its designation, 896, indicates its sequence in the discovery of asteroids.

Discovery and Naming

The discovery of 896 Sphinx was part of the early 20th-century efforts to catalog the numerous small bodies orbiting between Mars and Jupiter, in the region known as the Asteroid Belt. Max Wolf, a prolific discoverer of asteroids, utilized photographic plates to capture and identify movements of celestial objects across the night sky. The naming of 896 Sphinx follows the tradition of naming asteroids after mythological figures or characters, in this case, the Sphinx - a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion, known from Egyptian and Greek mythology.

Orbit and Classification

896 Sphinx orbits the Sun at a distance that places it within the central region of the Asteroid Belt. Its orbit is characterized by a semi-major axis, eccentricity, and inclination that are typical for asteroids in this region. The period of its orbit around the Sun, known as its orbital period, is approximately 5.5 Earth years.

Asteroids in the Asteroid Belt are classified into different families based on their spectral properties and orbital characteristics. While the specific family or class to which 896 Sphinx belongs is not detailed here, such classifications help astronomers understand the composition, origin, and evolutionary history of these objects.

Physical Characteristics

The physical properties of 896 Sphinx, including its size, composition, and rotation period, are essential for understanding its nature and origin. Like many asteroids, it is likely composed of rock and metal. The exact size of 896 Sphinx can be determined through observations of its brightness and the application of albedo (reflectivity) models. However, detailed information on its physical characteristics requires more in-depth observational data, which may be obtained through telescope observations or potential future spacecraft missions.

Significance

While 896 Sphinx may not be among the most famous or largest asteroids in the Solar System, its discovery contributes to our overall knowledge of the population and diversity of objects in the Asteroid Belt. Studying asteroids like 896 Sphinx helps scientists piece together the history of the Solar System, including the formation and evolution of planets.

Asteroids also hold potential for future resource utilization, as they contain valuable minerals and metals. Understanding the characteristics and orbits of asteroids is crucial for future exploration and potential asteroid mining endeavors.

See Also

• Asteroid Belt
• Max Wolf
• Asteroid mining
• Solar System