1162 Larissa

1162 Larissa is a main-belt asteroid discovered on September 5, 1930, by Karl Wilhelm Reinmuth at Heidelberg Observatory in Germany. It is a member of the Flora family of asteroids.

Discovery and Naming:

The asteroid was discovered by Reinmuth, a prolific asteroid discoverer. It was named after Larissa, a nymph from Greek mythology, reflecting Reinmuth's common practice of naming asteroids after female figures from mythology.

Orbital Characteristics:

1162 Larissa orbits the Sun in the main asteroid belt, located between Mars and Jupiter. Its orbital period is approximately 3.27 years. The asteroid exhibits a relatively high inclination of around 4.3 degrees to the ecliptic.

Physical Characteristics:

Based on observations, 1162 Larissa is estimated to be around 45 kilometers in diameter. Its albedo (reflectivity) is relatively low, suggesting a dark surface composition, likely consisting of carbonaceous materials.

Flora Family Member:

Larissa is classified as a member of the Flora family, a large group of asteroids in the inner main belt thought to have originated from a single disruptive event. Flora family members are generally S-type asteroids, characterized by their stony composition. However, Larissa's darker C-type classification suggests a different origin or a later alteration of its surface composition.