550 Senta Explained

Minorplanet:yes
Background:
  1. D6D6D6
550 Senta
Mpc Name:(550) Senta
Pronounced:in German ˈzɛntaː/
Alt Names:1904 PL
Discovered:16 November 1904
Epoch:31 July 2016 (JD 2457600.5)
Eccentricity:0.22287
Semimajor:2.5884AU
Perihelion:2.0115AU
Aphelion:3.1653abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Period:4.16 yr (1521.1 d)
Inclination:10.108°
Asc Node:270.702°
Arg Peri:45.342°
Rotation:20.555abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Mean Motion: / day
Observation Arc:115.33 yr (42124 d)
Uncertainty:0
Abs Magnitude:9.37
Mean Radius: km

550 Senta is a minor planet orbiting the Sun that was discovered by German astronomer Max Wolf on 16 November 1904, from Heidelberg.

Photometric observations of this asteroid made at the Torino Observatory in Italy during 1990–1991 were used to determine a synodic rotation period of 20.555 ± 0.01 hours.

In light of Max Wolf's propensity around the time of discovery to name asteroids after operatic heroines, it is likely that the asteroid is named after Senta, the heroine of Richard Wagner's opera The Flying Dutchman.