Mathilde
CategoryAsteroid
SystemAsteroid Belt
Diameter53 km
Orbital Period4.31 years
About Mathilde
A dark C-type asteroid visited by the NEAR spacecraft in 1997 on its way to Eros. Reflects only 4 percent of sunlight, about as dark as charcoal. Rotates extremely slowly, one turn every 17.4 days. At least five craters exceed 20 km across. Remarkably lightweight for its size, suggesting a rubble pile structure. Discovered in 1885 by Johann Palisa.
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