243 Ida

243 Ida is a fascinating asteroid in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. Positioned at an average distance of 4.28e+8 km (2.861 AU) from the Sun, 243 Ida occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As an asteroid, 243 Ida represents the remnants of the early Solar System, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our cosmic neighborhood.

The 243 Ida physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The 243 Ida mass of 1.00e+17 kg represents 59720000.0× smaller than Earth's mass, giving this world substantial gravitational influence.

The 243 Ida orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The 243 Ida orbit has a semimajor axis of 4.28e+8 km (2.861 AU), placing it 2.9× Earth's distance from the Sun. At its closest approach (perihelion), 243 Ida comes within 4.08e+8 km of the Sun, while at its farthest point (aphelion), it reaches 4.48e+8 km, creating a 9.3% variation in solar distance. The 243 Ida orbit is nearly circular with an eccentricity of 0.046 (2.8× Earth's orbital eccentricity), resulting in relatively stable solar heating throughout its year. The 243 Ida orbit takes 0.49 hours to complete (17854.0× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 1.138° indicates how much the 243 Ida orbit is tilted relative to the Solar System's ecliptic plane. This low inclination means 243 Ida follows a path very close to the plane where most planets orbit, suggesting a stable formation history.

The 243 Ida rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The 243 Ida axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, 243 Ida experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about 243 Ida'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 243 Ida temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The 243 Ida average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make 243 Ida 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), 243 Ida presents a dramatically different thermal environment. Being farther from the Sun than Earth, 243 Ida receives less solar radiation, resulting in cooler conditions.

The 243 Ida escape velocity and shape characteristics reveal important details about its gravitational field and rotational dynamics. The 243 Ida 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 243 Ida to retain a substantial atmosphere. The 243 Ida 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.