Orbital elements and other data (Assumed or derived values in parenthesis, my estimates in italics and parenthesis. Source identifications in brackets, see this link for sources):

--(617) Patroclus--discovery and notes:

Primary discovered 17 October 1906 by A. Kopff from Heidelberg, Germany. Alternate designations 1906 VY, 1941 XC, and 1962 NB.

Companion discovered 22 September 2001 by William J. Merline, Laird M. Close, N. Siegler, D. Potter, C. R. Chapman, C. Dumas, F. Menard, and D. C. Slater using the Gemini North adaptive optics telescope at Mauna Kea, Hawaii; announced 29 October 2001. Designated S/2001 (617) 1, in February 2006 named Menoetius.

Patroclus was the second Trojan asteroid to be discovered. It orbits in Jupiter's L5 position (60° behind Jupiter).

See more information and links at Asteroid/Comet Connection Catchall Catalog page

--Links, more technical:

• IAUC 7741 (also at SWRI).
• A low density of 0.8 g cm^-3 for the Trojan binary asteroid 617 Patroclus (.pdf).

--Links, less technical:

• "Twin" Trojan Found.
• (617) Patroclus and companion.
• Study of Patroclus and Menoetius.

--Links to ADS abstracts:

• Fernández, Yanga R., Sheppard, Scott S., & Jewitt, David C. 2003, Astronomical Journal The Albedo Distribution of Jovian Trojan Asteroids
• Marchis, F., Descamps, P., Berthier, J., Hestroffer, D., de Pater, I., Conrad, A., Le Mignant, D., Chaffee, F., & Gavel, D. 2003, AAS/Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting Searching and Studying Binary Asteroids with AO Systems
• Kaasalainen, M., Torppa, J., & Piironen, J. 2002, Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.383, p.L19-L22 (2002) Binary structures among large asteroids
• Merline, W. J., Close, L. M., Siegler, N., Potter, D., Chapman, C. R., Dumas, C., Menard, F., Slater, D. C., Baker, A. C., Edmunds, M. G., Mathlin, G., Guyon, O., & Roth, K. 2001, International Astronomical Union Circular S/2001 (617) 1
• Erdi, B. 1981, Celestial Mechanics, vol. 24, Aug. 1981, p. 377-390. The perturbations of the orbital elements of Trojan asteroids
• Smith, D. W., Johnson, P. E., & Shorthill, R. W. 1981, Icarus Spectrophotometry of J8, J9, and four Trojan asteroids from 0.32 to 1.05 microns
• Cruikshank, D. P. 1977, Icarus, vol. 30, Jan. 1977, p. 224-230. USAF-supported research; Radii and albedos of four Trojan asteroids and Jovian satellites 6 and 7
• Drucker, W. 1921, Astronomische Nachrichten Anwendung der Wilkenschen Methode AN 4906 auf den Planeten 617 Patroclus
• Fabry, Louis 1918, Journal des Observateurs Note sur la grandeur de 617 Patrocle
• Pickering, Edward C. 1912, Harvard College Observatory Bulletin Asteroid Patroclus
• Heinrich, W. 1910, Astronomische Nachrichten Oppositionsephemeride des Planeten der Jupitergruppe (617) Patroclus
• Wolf, M. 1909, Astronomische Nachrichten Photographische Aufnahme des Planeten (617) Patroclus
• Heinrich, V. 1909, Astronomische Nachrichten Fortsetzung der Ephemeride des Planeten (617) Patroclus
• Heinrich, Vladimír 1909, Astronomische Nachrichten Oppositionsephemeride des Planeten der Jupitergruppe (617) Patroclus
• Heinrich, V. 1907, Astronomische Nachrichten Ephemeride des Planeten (617) Patroclus
• Heinrich, V. 1907, Astronomische Nachrichten Elemente und Ephemeride des Planeten (617) Patroclus
• Strümgren, E. 1907, Astronomische Nachrichten Zur Entdeckung eines dritten kleinen Planeten der Jupitergruppe 1906 VY
• Heinrich, V. 1907, Astronomische Nachrichten Elemente des Planeten der Jupitergruppe Patroclus (1906 VY)
• Charlier, C. V. L. 1907, Astronomische Nachrichten Über die Bahnen der Planeten (588) [1906 TG], 1906 VY und 1907 XM
• Heinrich, V. 1907, Astronomische Nachrichten Über einen neuen Planeten der Jupitergruppe 1906 VY

© 2001-2005, 2006 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 7 February 2006.
Return to Home. Return to Astronomy and Space. Return to Asteroids with Satellites.