17 Thetis

17 Thetis is a main-belt asteroid discovered on April 17, 1852, by Robert Luther at the Bilk Observatory in Düsseldorf. It is named after Thetis, a sea nymph in Greek mythology, the mother of Achilles.

Characteristics:

Thetis is a relatively large asteroid, with an estimated diameter of approximately 90 kilometers. It is classified as an S-type asteroid, indicating a stony composition rich in silicates and magnesium. Its surface is relatively bright, reflecting a significant portion of the sunlight that hits it.

Orbit and Rotation:

Thetis orbits the Sun in the main asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Its orbital period is approximately 4.6 years. The asteroid's rotation period is relatively short, at about 12 hours.

Significance:

As a larger main-belt asteroid, Thetis provides valuable information about the early solar system and the processes that led to the formation of planets. Its composition and orbital characteristics contribute to our understanding of the distribution of materials in the asteroid belt and the history of collisions and interactions between asteroids. While not one of the largest or most dynamically interesting asteroids, Thetis remains a well-studied object that continues to provide insights into the evolution of our solar system.