168 Sibylla Explained

Minorplanet:yes
Background:
  1. D6D6D6
168 Sibylla
Discovery Ref:[1]
Discovered:28 September 1876
Discovery Site:Ann Arbor
Mpc Name:(168) Sibylla
Alt Names:A876 SA; 1911 HF;
1949 MO
Adjective:Sibyllian
Orbit Ref:[2]
Epoch:31 July 2016 (JD 2457600.5)
Aphelion:3.6215abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Perihelion:3.1417AU
Semimajor:3.3816AU
Eccentricity:0.070943
Period:6.22 yr (2271.4 d)
Avg Speed:16.19 km/s
Inclination:4.6617°
Asc Node:205.959°
Arg Peri:173.920°
Dimensions:
149.06 ± 4.29 km
Density:2.26 ± 1.05 g/cm3
Sidereal Day:23.82 hours
Abs Magnitude:7.94
Mean Motion: / day
Observation Arc:136.01 yr (49676 d)
Uncertainty:0
Rotation:47.009abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Named After:Sibyls

168 Sibylla is a large main-belt asteroid, discovered by Canadian-American astronomer J. C. Watson on September 28, 1876. It was most likely named for the Sibyls, referring to the Ancient Greek female oracles. Based upon its spectrum this object is classified as a C-type asteroid, which indicates it is very dark and composed of primitive carbonaceous materials. 168 Sibylla is a Cybele asteroid, orbiting beyond most of the main-belt asteroids.

Photometric observations of this asteroid made at the Torino Observatory in Italy during 1990–1991 were used to determine a synodic rotation period of 23.82 ± 0.004 hours. The shape of this slowly rotating object appears to resemble an oblate spheroid.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (1)-(5000) . August 14, 2012.
  2. Web site: The Asteroid Orbital Elements Database . astorb . . August 14, 2012 .