21 Lutetia

21 Lutetia is a fascinating asteroid in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. With a 21 Lutetia radius of 42.5 km, making it 149.9× smaller than Earth's size, this celestial body presents unique characteristics that distinguish it from other objects in our cosmic neighborhood. Positioned at an average distance of 3.64e+8 km (2.435 AU) from the Sun, 21 Lutetia occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As an asteroid, 21 Lutetia represents the remnants of the early Solar System, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our cosmic neighborhood.

The 21 Lutetia physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The 21 Lutetia radius measures 42.5 km, making it 149.9× smaller than Earth's size. The 21 Lutetia mass of 1.70e+18 kg represents 3512941.2× smaller than Earth's mass, giving this world substantial gravitational influence.

The 21 Lutetia orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The 21 Lutetia orbit has a semimajor axis of 3.64e+8 km (2.435 AU), placing it 2.4× Earth's distance from the Sun. At its closest approach (perihelion), 21 Lutetia comes within 3.05e+8 km of the Sun, while at its farthest point (aphelion), it reaches 4.24e+8 km, creating a 32.8% variation in solar distance. The 21 Lutetia orbit is moderately elliptical with an eccentricity of 0.164 (9.8× Earth's orbital eccentricity), creating noticeable seasonal variations in solar radiation. The 21 Lutetia orbit takes 0.39 hours to complete (22738.0× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 3.064° indicates how much the 21 Lutetia orbit is tilted relative to the Solar System's ecliptic plane. This low inclination means 21 Lutetia follows a path very close to the plane where most planets orbit, suggesting a stable formation history.

The 21 Lutetia rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The 21 Lutetia axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, 21 Lutetia experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about 21 Lutetia's position in space. The mean anomaly of 0° indicates the planet's current position in its orbit relative to its perihelion. The argument of periapsis of 0° shows how the orbit's orientation changes over time due to gravitational perturbations. The longitude of ascending node of 0° defines the reference point where the orbit crosses the ecliptic plane.

The 21 Lutetia temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The 21 Lutetia average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make 21 Lutetia inhospitable to life as we know it, with any atmosphere likely frozen solid on the surface. Compared to Earth's average temperature of 15°C (59°F), 21 Lutetia presents a dramatically different thermal environment. Being farther from the Sun than Earth, 21 Lutetia receives less solar radiation, resulting in cooler conditions. The elliptical orbit creates significant temperature variations throughout the year, with extreme seasonal changes.

The 21 Lutetia escape velocity and shape characteristics reveal important details about its gravitational field and rotational dynamics. The 21 Lutetia escape velocity of 0 m/s determines how easily objects can break free from its gravitational pull. This relatively low escape velocity means that gases and light molecules can easily escape into space, making it difficult for 21 Lutetia to retain a substantial atmosphere. The 21 Lutetia flattening of 0.0000% indicates how much the planet's rotation affects its shape. This minimal flattening suggests a nearly spherical shape, indicating either slow rotation or a very rigid internal structure.