145 Adeona

145 Adeona is a large asteroid from the intermediate asteroid belt, approximately Template:Convert in diameter. Its surface is very dark,<ref name="Pravec2012"/> and, based upon its classification as a C-type asteroid, is probably composed of primitive carbonaceous material. The spectra of the asteroid displays evidence of aqueous alteration.<ref name=Fornasier1999/> The Adeona family of asteroids is named after it.

It was discovered by C. H. F. Peters on June 3, 1875, from the observatory at Hamilton College, Clinton, New York. Peters named it after Adeona, the Roman goddess of homecoming, because he had recently returned from a journey across the world to observe the transit of Venus. Peters also discovered 144 Vibilia on the same night.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

During 2001, Adeona was observed by radar from the Arecibo Observatory. The returned signal matched an effective diameter of 151 ± 18 km. This is consistent with the asteroid dimensions computed through other means.<ref name="icarus186_1_126">Template:Citation</ref>

Two stellar occultations by Adeona have been observed: The first one on July 9, 2002 when it occulted an 11.8 mag star, and then again on February 3, 2005 when several observers in Japan recorded the occultation of a 10.4 mag star. The latter was consistent with a diameter of 151 km.<ref name="occult1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="occult2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="occult3">Template:Cite web</ref>

The Dawn mission team discussed performing a flyby of this object, however NASA decided against it in July 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the time this was considered Dawn was orbiting the large asteroid/dwarf planet 1 Ceres, and went on studying that body later that year.<ref name="nasa20161118">Template:Cite web</ref> Dawn had previously orbited asteroid 4 Vesta, before traveling to Ceres.<ref name="nasa20161118"/>

See also

• List of minor planets formerly targeted for spacecraft visitation

External links

• Template:AstDys
• Template:JPL small body