299 Thora

299 Thora is a main-belt asteroid. It was discovered on October 6, 1890, by Johann Palisa at the Vienna Observatory.

Discovery and Naming:

Thora was discovered by Johann Palisa, a prolific asteroid hunter of the late 19th century. It was his 30th asteroid discovery. The asteroid is named after Thor, the god of thunder in Norse mythology. Palisa frequently named asteroids after figures from classical mythology, and Thora fits within this pattern, albeit drawing from Norse rather than Greco-Roman sources.

Orbital Characteristics:

Thora orbits the Sun in the main asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Its orbital period is approximately 5.5 years. The asteroid follows an elliptical path around the Sun. Specific details of its semi-major axis, eccentricity, inclination, and other orbital parameters can be found in astronomical databases.

Physical Characteristics:

Thora is a relatively small asteroid. Its estimated diameter is approximately 17 kilometers. Based on its albedo (reflectivity), it is classified as a C-type asteroid. This means that it has a dark surface and is likely composed of carbonaceous materials. These types of asteroids are common in the outer regions of the main asteroid belt. Data on its rotation period and spectral characteristics are available from astronomical observations and studies.

Significance:

As a main-belt asteroid, Thora contributes to our understanding of the formation and evolution of the solar system. Studying its composition and orbital characteristics provides insights into the conditions that prevailed in the asteroid belt during the early solar system. While Thora itself is not a particularly unusual or noteworthy asteroid in terms of size or composition, it is one of many that are studied to gain a broader understanding of the asteroid population as a whole.