107 Camilla ( ) is one of the largest
main-belt asteroids. It orbits within the
Cybele Group, beyond most of the main belt asteroids. It has a very dark surface and primitive
carbonaceous composition. It was discovered by
N. R. Pogson on November 17, 1868, and named after
Camilla, Queen of the
Volsci in
Roman mythology.
Lightcurve analysis indicates that Camilla's pole most likely points towards
ecliptic coordinates (β, λ) = (+51°, 72°) with a 10° uncertainty, which gives it an
axial tilt of 29°.
Satellite (S/2001 (107) I)
On 1 March 2001, a
satellite of Camilla was found by A. Storrs, F. Vilas, R. Landis, E. Wells, C. Woods, B. Zellner, and M. Gaffey using the
Hubble Space Telescope. It has been designated
S/2001 (107) 1 but has not yet received an official name.
Later observations in September 2005 with the
VLT allowed the determination of an orbit. Given the ~10° uncertainty in the actual rotational axis of Camilla, one can say that the orbit's inclination is less than 10°.
The satellite is estimated to measure about 11 km in diameter. Assuming a similar density to the primary,...
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