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Lucy in the sky with (H chondritic) Diamonds

almitt wrote:

> it is apparent that the asteroid for all the H
> type ordinary chondrites has been identified

Bernd responded:

> Asteroid 6 Hebe is a hot candidate for the H chondrites

The silicate mineralogy across the surface of S(IV)-type asteroid Hebe
varies from H4 to H6 and according to Gaffey et al. Hebe appears to be
the parent body of both the H chondrites and the IIE nonmagmatic Fe
meteorites.

Epsilon Orionis right ascension (Nov 9, 20:55 MEZ): 5h 36.2 m
Epsilon Orionis declination (Nov 9, 20:55 MEZ)      : - 01° 12'

Orbital elements:

Diameter             = 185 ± 3 km
Rotation period   = 7.274 h
Mean distance   a = 2.426 AU
Inclination         i = 14.8°
Eccentricity      e = 0.203
Ejection velocity = 280 m/s


ASTRONOMY, November 1999, p. 73: Hebe Buckles Orion's Belt

Maybe you've never heard of it, but 6 Hebe has to be one of the easiest
asteroids to find. If you have a modest telescope [or good binoculars]
and can locate the middle star of Orion's belt, known as Alnilam
(Epsilon), you've got a chance. For two weeks Hebe will be no more than
1° (two moon widths) from bright Alnilam.
The sixth asteroid to be discovered, Hebe stretches 120 miles across
(190 km) and sports a brightness of magnitude 8.7, easy to catch in the
smallest of telescopes. Using the chart on pages 65 and 66 and
magnifications at 100x or higher, you can use field stars to track the
orbiting mountain as it moves. In a couple hours you should be able to
see that it has changed position.
You can watch Hebe approach a 7.6-magnitude star on the evening of the
4th and an 8th-magnitude star on the 7th. Can you still spot Hebe during
the nights of November 8-10 when it lies less than 7' (1/4 moon width)
from the middle belt star of Orion?


Best wishes and good luck when hunting
this celestial H chondrite parent body,

Bernd

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