545 Messalina Explained

Minorplanet:yes
Background:
  1. D6D6D6
545 Messalina
Mpc Name:(545) Messalina
Pronounced: or [1]
Alt Names:1904 OY
Discovered:3 October 1904
Epoch:31 July 2016 (JD 2457600.5)
Eccentricity:0.16912
Semimajor:3.2014AU
Perihelion:2.66AU
Aphelion:3.7428abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Period:5.73 yr (2092.2 d)
Inclination:11.204°
Asc Node:333.638°
Arg Peri:330.686°
Mean Motion: / day
Orbit Ref:[2]
Observation Arc:111.54 yr (40741 d)
Uncertainty:0
Abs Magnitude:8.84
Rotation:7.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Mean Radius: km

545 Messalina is a minor planet, specifically an asteroid orbiting primarily in the asteroid belt. It was discovered on 3 October 1904 by Paul Götz (provisional name 1904 OY), at Heidelberg. It is named after Valeria Messalina, the third wife of Roman Emperor Claudius.[3] [4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. Noah Webster (1884) A Practical Dictionary of the English Language
  2. Web site: 545 Messalina (1904 OY) . . . 5 May 2016.
  3. Book: Lutz D. Schmadel. Dictionary of Minor Planet Names. Third. 2013. Springer Science & Business Media. 978-3-662-06615-7. 89.
  4. Book: Popular Astronomy. 1906. Goodsell Observatory of Carleton College. 432.
  5. Book: The Athenaeum. 1906. British Periodicals Limited. 705.