286 Iclea

286 Iclea is a main-belt asteroid. It was discovered on August 3, 1889, by Johann Palisa at the Vienna Observatory.

Discovery and Naming

Johann Palisa, a prolific asteroid discoverer, found 286 Iclea in Vienna. The asteroid is named after Icleia, a heroine in the novel Uarda by the German Egyptologist Georg Ebers. Ebers was a personal friend of Palisa.

Orbital Characteristics

Iclea orbits the Sun in the main asteroid belt, located between Mars and Jupiter. Its orbital period is approximately 4.56 years. The orbital elements, such as the semi-major axis, eccentricity, and inclination, define the shape and orientation of its orbit.

Physical Characteristics

Iclea is relatively large, with an estimated diameter of around 95 kilometers. Its surface is dark, suggesting a carbonaceous composition, placing it within the C-type asteroids. Its albedo, a measure of reflectivity, is low. The asteroid's rotation period is approximately 13.5 hours. Further studies, including spectral analysis and lightcurve observations, provide more detailed information about its composition, shape, and surface properties.