| Discovered by Norman Robert Pogson Pronunciation /kəˈmɪlə/ kə-MIL-ə Discovered 17 November 1868 Spectral type C-type asteroid Discovery site Madras Observatory | Discovery date 17 November 1868 Observation arc 147.36 yr (53824 d) Orbits Sun Discoverer N. R. Pogson Moon S/2001 (107) 1 | |
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| Alternative names A893 QA; 1938 OG; 1949 HD1 Minor planet category Outer Main belt (Cybele) Similar N R Pogson discoveries, Other celestial objects | ||
107 Camilla is one of the largest main-belt asteroids. It orbits within the Cybele Group, beyond most 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.
10µ radiometric data collected from Kitt Peak in 1975 gave a diameter estimate of 209 km. 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. Apart from data in infobox, the inclination was found to be 3 ± 1° with respect to an axis pointing towards (β, λ) = (+55°, 75°). 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, this would give it an approximate mass of ~1.5×1015 kg. It has a similar colour to the primary.