Dactyl

Definition

Dactyl is a small natural satellite of the asteroid 243 Ida. It was discovered by the Galileo spacecraft in 1993 and is notable for being one of the first confirmed asteroid moons.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dactyl orbits the asteroid 243 Ida, which is located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
2. Its discovery provided significant evidence that asteroids can have natural satellites.
3. Dactyl has an irregular shape, measuring approximately 1.4 kilometers in diameter.
4. The gravitational interaction between Dactyl and Ida has helped scientists better understand the mass and density of both objects.
5. Geological features on Dactyl suggest it may be composed of similar materials to Ida, supporting theories about their common origin.

Review Questions

• What spacecraft discovered Dactyl?
• Why is Dactyl's discovery significant in the study of asteroids?
• How has Dactyl contributed to our understanding of the mass and density of asteroids?

Related terms

Asteroid Belt:

The region of space located between Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids are found.

Galileo Spacecraft: A NASA mission that studied Jupiter and its moons, as well as conducting flybys of asteroids like Ida.

243 Ida: An asteroid in the Koronis family located in the asteroid belt, known for having a natural satellite named Dactyl.