(216) Cleopatra

(216) Kleopatra is an asteroid belonging to the asteroid belt discovered on April 10, 1880 by Johann Palisa from the observatory in Pula, Croatia. It is named after the Egyptian queen Cleopatra (c.69 BC-30 BC).

Physical characteristics

Cleopatra has an unusual shape, comparable to that of a gnaw bone. This shape was revealed using the adaptive optical system of the 3.6 m telescope built and operated by the European Southern Observatory and installed at La Silla. By sending radar signals, a team of astronomers from the Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico was able to design a computerized model of the shape of the asteroid Cleopatra.

Satellites

The asteroid Cleopatra has two satellites, named in February 2011 as Alexhelios (S/2011 (216)1) and Cleoselene (S/2011 (216)2), in honor of two children of Cleopatra: Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene II.