917 Lyka

917 Lyka is a minor planet, specifically an asteroid, orbiting within the main asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on August 6, 1915, by Grigory Neujmin at the Simeis Observatory in Crimea.

Asteroids like 917 Lyka are remnants from the early solar system, materials that never coalesced into a planet. Studying their composition and orbital characteristics provides valuable insights into the solar system's formation and evolution.

The asteroid is named after Lyka, a character from the story "The Lykos Family" by Russian writer Nadezhda Teffi. Naming asteroids after literary figures is a common practice.

The orbital parameters of 917 Lyka, such as its semi-major axis, eccentricity, and inclination, have been determined through astronomical observations and calculations. These parameters define its path around the Sun. Like other main-belt asteroids, 917 Lyka is subject to gravitational influences from the Sun, Jupiter, and other planets, which can slightly alter its orbit over time. More detailed physical properties, such as size and albedo (reflectivity), are estimated based on its brightness and distance. Precise measurements require dedicated observations using telescopes and spacecraft.