METIS was the ninth minor planet found on 25th April 1848 by the Irishman Andrew Graham from Markree in Ireland. This is the top ten of the largest bodies found in the main asteroid belt, whose odd size is roughly 235×195×140 based on the observed light-curve. The eccentic orbit means that there are good and bad oppositions, whose distance ranges as far as 400 million kilometers, to as close as 314 million km.
In mythology, Metis is a female Titan, being the shared daughter of water gods, Tethys and Oceanus.
METIS DATADiscoverer : A. Graham Date : 25th April 1848 Satellites : 0 Diameter : 235×195×140 km. Polar Tilt : var ? ° Period (P) : 3.69 years Synodic Period : days Orbital Velocity : 19.21 kms-1 Perihelion (q) : 2.096 A.U. Aphelion (Q) : 2.678 A.U. Eccentricity (e) : 0.122 Inclination (i) : 5.576° Mass :c.9×1018 kg. Mean Density : c.2.7 g.cm-3 Mean Distance : 2.387 AU or 3.570 × 108 km Sidereal Rotation : 5.08 hr. Mean Sidereal Rotation : 0.2116 d. Maximum Diameter : 0.26 ″ (arcsec) Minimum Diameter : 0.20 ″ (arcsec) Maximum Magnitude : 8.1 Minimum Magnitude : 11.9 |
********************************************************* 0h UT (J2000) Mag Δ r El. Con DATE R.A. Decl. V A.U. A.U. o hh mm.m o ′ ********************************************************* -- 2007 -- 29 Dec 20 26.6 -23 03 11.5 3.348 2.511 027 Cap -- 2008 -- 12 Jan 20 52.8 -21 28 11.5 3.403 2.494 019 Cap 26 Jan 21 19.0 -19 38 11.3 3.434 2.477 011 Cap 09 Feb 21 45.1 -17 36 11.2 3.441 2.460 005 Cap 23 Feb 22 10.9 -15 23 11.2 3.423 2.442 006 Aqr 08 Mar 22 36.4 -13 02 11.3 3.383 2.423 012 Aqr 22 Mar 23 01.6 -10 35 11.3 3.320 2.405 020 Aqr 05 Apr 23 26.5 -08 04 11.4 3.237 2.386 027 Aqr 19 Apr 23 50.9 -05 33 11.4 3.135 2.367 034 Aqr 03 May 00 15.0 -03 03 11.4 3.017 2.347 041 Psc 17 May 00 38.7 -00 37 11.4 2.883 2.328 048 Cet 31 May 01 02.0 +01 41 11.3 2.736 2.309 055 Cet 14 Jun 01 24.6 +03 50 11.2 2.579 2.290 062 Psc 28 Jun 01 46.5 +05 49 11.1 2.412 2.272 070 Psc 12 Jul 02 07.2 +07 33 11.0 2.240 2.254 078 Cet 26 Jul 02 26.5 +09 02 10.8 2.064 2.236 086 Cet 09 Aug 02 43.6 +10 14 10.6 1.888 2.219 095 Cet 23 Aug 02 57.7 +11 08 10.3 1.716 2.203 105 Ari 06 Sep 03 07.7 +11 43 10.1 1.552 2.187 116 Ari 20 Sep 03 12.5 +11 58 09.7 1.404 2.172 128 Ari 04 Oct 03 11.1 +11 56 09.4 1.281 2.159 142 Ari 18 Oct 03 03.2 +11 40 09.0 1.192 2.146 158 Ari 01 Nov 02 50.3 +11 17 08.5 1.146 2.135 173 Ari 15 Nov 02 35.8 +11 00 08.7 1.150 2.125 167 Ari 29 Nov 02 24.1 +11 02 09.1 1.203 2.116 150 Ari 13 Dec 02 17.9 +11 32 09.4 1.296 2.109 135 Ari 27 Dec 02 18.6 +12 30 09.7 1.420 2.103 121 Ari *********************************************************
Metis be just glimpsed at the beginning of the year in southern Capricornus, appearing in towards the soutwestern horizon just after sunset. This will be more difficult to see as the asteroid moves closer to the Sun, meeting solar conjection on 15th February. The first opportunity to see Metis again will occur in late-April in the early morning hours just prior to sunrise, low to the eastern horizon in Aquarius. The asteriod during May and June moves near the Pisces and Cetus border, rising above 11th magnitude by mid-July. After September, Metis is well placed for observation between the borders of Cetus and Aries, and the minor planet begins its retrograde loop, placed almost entirely in Aries. On 11th September the magnitude reach 10th, and then 9th magnitude six weeks later (19th Oct). Opposition occurs between the 3rd to 4th November, peaking at 8.4 magnitude, which can be easily seen in binoculars. Observation remains possible in the evening sky into 2009, though a small telescope will be required to see it. The next best opportunity to see Metis this bright will again occur in ealy 2013
********************************************************* 0h UT (J2000) Mag Δ r El. Con DATE R.A. Decl. V A.U. A.U. o hh mm.m o ′ ********************************************************* 10 Jan 02 25.6 +13 52 10.0 1.563 2.099 109 Ari 24 Jan 02 38.1 +15 31 10.3 1.719 2.096 098 Ari 07 Feb 02 55.2 +17 20 10.5 1.879 2.095 088 Ari 21 Feb 03 15.9 +19 10 10.6 2.040 2.096 079 Ari 07 Mar 03 39.6 +20 57 10.8 2.198 2.098 071 Tau 21 Mar 04 05.7 +22 34 10.9 2.349 2.102 063 Tau 04 Apr 04 33.9 +23 57 11.0 2.493 2.107 056 Tau 18 Apr 05 03.6 +25 01 11.0 2.626 2.114 049 Tau 02 May 05 34.6 +25 43 11.1 2.749 2.122 043 Tau 16 May 06 06.3 +26 02 11.1 2.860 2.132 036 Gem 30 May 06 38.5 +25 55 11.1 2.958 2.143 030 Gem 13 Jun 07 10.6 +25 24 11.0 3.042 2.155 024 Gem 27 Jun 07 42.5 +24 28 11.0 3.111 2.168 018 Gem 11 Jul 08 13.8 +23 11 10.9 3.166 2.183 012 Cnc 25 Jul 08 44.4 +21 34 10.8 3.204 2.198 007 Cnc 08 Aug 09 14.1 +19 40 10.8 3.225 2.214 004 Cnc 22 Aug 09 42.9 +17 33 10.9 3.229 2.231 008 Leo 05 Sep 10 10.7 +15 15 11.0 3.215 2.249 014 Leo 19 Sep 10 37.6 +12 51 11.2 3.182 2.267 020 Leo 03 Oct 11 03.6 +10 23 11.2 3.130 2.285 027 Leo 17 Oct 11 28.6 +07 56 11.3 3.059 2.304 034 Leo 31 Oct 11 52.6 +05 32 11.3 2.969 2.323 042 Vir 14 Nov 12 15.5 +03 16 11.3 2.861 2.342 049 Vir 28 Nov 12 37.2 +01 09 11.3 2.735 2.361 058 Vir 12 Dec 12 57.4 -00 43 11.3 2.594 2.380 067 Vir 26 Dec 13 15.7 -02 19 11.2 2.441 2.399 076 Vir *********************************************************
********************************************************* 0h UT (J2000) Mag Δ r El. Con DATE R.A. Decl. V A.U. A.U. o hh mm.m o ′ ********************************************************* 09 Jan 13 31.6 -03 35 11.1 2.280 2.418 086 Vir 23 Jan 13 44.4 -04 28 10.9 2.115 2.437 097 Vir 06 Feb 13 53.2 -04 55 10.7 1.954 2.455 109 Vir 20 Feb 13 57.2 -04 55 10.5 1.804 2.473 122 Vir 06 Mar 13 55.7 -04 29 10.2 1.677 2.490 136 Vir 20 Mar 13 48.7 -03 39 09.9 1.585 2.507 152 Vir 03 Apr 13 37.2 -02 37 09.6 1.538 2.523 167 Vir 17 Apr 13 23.6 -01 38 09.6 1.543 2.539 171 Vir 01 May 13 11.2 -00 58 09.9 1.602 2.554 156 Vir 15 May 13 02.3 -00 48 10.3 1.707 2.568 140 Vir 29 May 12 58.2 -01 10 10.6 1.848 2.581 126 Vir 12 Jun 12 59.2 -02 01 10.9 2.016 2.594 114 Vir 26 Jun 13 04.5 -03 15 11.1 2.199 2.606 102 Vir 10 Jul 13 13.6 -04 46 11.3 2.389 2.617 091 Vir 24 Jul 13 25.7 -06 29 11.5 2.580 2.627 081 Vir 07 Aug 13 40.4 -08 21 11.6 2.766 2.637 072 Vir 21 Aug 13 57.1 -10 18 11.7 2.943 2.645 063 Vir 04 Sep 14 15.5 -12 16 11.8 3.107 2.653 055 Vir 18 Sep 14 35.4 -14 12 11.8 3.255 2.659 046 Lib 02 Oct 14 56.7 -16 04 11.8 3.383 2.665 038 Lib 16 Oct 15 19.1 -17 50 11.8 3.489 2.669 030 Lib 30 Oct 15 42.5 -19 26 11.7 3.572 2.673 022 Lib 13 Nov 16 06.8 -20 52 11.6 3.629 2.676 013 Sco 27 Nov 16 31.8 -22 04 11.5 3.659 2.678 005 Oph 11 Dec 16 57.3 -23 03 11.4 3.661 2.678 003 Oph 25 Dec 17 23.1 -23 46 11.6 3.635 2.678 011 Oph *********************************************************
********************************************************* 0h UT (J2000) Mag Δ r El. Con DATE R.A. Decl. V A.U. A.U. o hh mm.m o ′ ********************************************************* 08 Jan 17 48.9 -24 14 11.7 3.582 2.677 020 Sgr 22 Jan 18 14.5 -24 27 11.8 3.501 2.674 028 Sgr 05 Feb 18 39.5 -24 26 11.8 3.396 2.671 037 Sgr 19 Feb 19 03.7 -24 13 11.8 3.267 2.667 045 Sgr 05 Mar 19 26.7 -23 50 11.8 3.118 2.662 054 Sgr 19 Mar 19 48.3 -23 22 11.7 2.952 2.656 063 Sgr 02 Apr 20 08.0 -22 51 11.6 2.772 2.649 072 Cap 16 Apr 20 25.5 -22 22 11.5 2.583 2.641 082 Cap 30 Apr 20 40.3 -22 01 11.3 2.389 2.632 092 Cap 14 May 20 51.8 -21 53 11.1 2.197 2.622 103 Cap 28 May 20 59.3 -22 04 10.9 2.014 2.611 115 Cap 11 Jun 21 02.0 -22 39 10.6 1.848 2.600 128 Cap 25 Jun 20 59.3 -23 36 10.3 1.709 2.587 142 Cap 09 Jul 20 51.0 -24 52 10.0 1.608 2.574 157 Cap 23 Jul 20 38.4 -26 11 09.6 1.552 2.560 171 Cap 06 Aug 20 23.9 -27 17 09.7 1.548 2.545 166 Cap 20 Aug 20 10.9 -27 56 10.0 1.595 2.530 151 Sgr 03 Sep 20 02.4 -28 06 10.3 1.685 2.514 136 Sgr 17 Sep 19 59.8 -27 50 10.5 1.808 2.497 123 Sgr 01 Oct 20 03.3 -27 15 10.8 1.954 2.480 110 Sgr 15 Oct 20 12.2 -26 22 10.9 2.113 2.463 098 Cap 29 Oct 20 25.5 -25 15 11.1 2.275 2.444 088 Cap 12 Nov 20 42.3 -23 54 11.2 2.436 2.426 078 Cap 26 Nov 21 01.7 -22 18 11.3 2.590 2.407 068 Cap 10 Dec 21 23.0 -20 27 11.4 2.733 2.388 059 Cap 24 Dec 21 45.7 -18 21 11.4 2.861 2.369 051 Cap *********************************************************
********************************************************* 0h UT (J2000) Mag Δ r El. Con DATE R.A. Decl. V A.U. A.U. o hh mm.m o ′ ********************************************************* 07 Jan 22 09.4 -16 03 11.4 2.972 2.350 043 Aqr 21 Jan 22 33.8 -13 32 11.3 3.066 2.330 035 Aqr 04 Feb 22 58.6 -10 51 11.3 3.139 2.311 028 Aqr 18 Feb 23 23.8 -08 02 11.2 3.193 2.292 020 Aqr 03 Mar 23 49.3 -05 07 11.1 3.226 2.273 013 Aqr 17 Mar 00 15.1 -02 09 10.9 3.240 2.255 007 Psc 31 Mar 00 41.1 +00 49 10.8 3.234 2.237 003 Cet 14 Apr 01 07.5 +03 45 10.9 3.209 2.220 008 Psc 28 Apr 01 34.3 +06 36 11.0 3.167 2.203 014 Psc 12 May 02 01.5 +09 20 11.0 3.108 2.188 020 Psc 26 May 02 29.1 +11 53 11.1 3.034 2.173 026 Ari 09 Jun 02 57.1 +14 14 11.1 2.945 2.159 032 Ari 23 Jun 03 25.5 +16 20 11.1 2.844 2.146 039 Tau 07 Jul 03 54.1 +18 10 11.1 2.730 2.134 045 Tau 21 Jul 04 22.7 +19 41 11.0 2.605 2.124 051 Tau 04 Aug 04 51.0 +20 55 11.0 2.471 2.115 058 Tau 18 Aug 05 18.7 +21 50 10.9 2.328 2.108 065 Tau 01 Sep 05 45.3 +22 30 10.8 2.178 2.102 072 Tau 15 Sep 06 10.2 +22 56 10.6 2.023 2.097 080 Gem 29 Sep 06 32.8 +23 13 10.5 1.865 2.095 089 Gem 13 Oct 06 52.1 +23 28 10.3 1.708 2.093 098 Gem 27 Oct 07 07.2 +23 48 10.0 1.555 2.094 108 Gem 10 Nov 07 16.8 +24 21 09.7 1.414 2.096 120 Gem 24 Nov 07 19.6 +25 12 09.4 1.291 2.100 134 Gem 08 Dec 07 14.8 +26 21 09.1 1.198 2.105 149 Gem 22 Dec 07 03.2 +27 38 08.7 1.145 2.112 165 Gem **********************************************************
************************ Opposition Conjunction ************************ 05 Aug 2006 26 May 2007 23 Jun 2008 Not in 2008 *************************
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