What telescope do I need to see Egeria?

At magnitude 9.4, Egeria is within reach of a 3-inch (80 mm) telescope from a moderate-Bortle site.

Egeria — Asteroid in Libra

13 Egeria

Magnitude 9.4^m Asteroid Libra (Lib) Visible

Rendered preview of Egeria from the Nightbase orrery, lit from the current Sun direction with the terminator visible.

Star Map 3D Solar System + List + Plan

Properties

Magnitude 9.4

Description

Type: Asteroid

Distance: 2.576 AU

Orbital Period: 1510.4 days

Diameter: 208 km

Greek water nymph; G-type (carbonaceous subgroup) — dark, damp surface thought to contain hydrated minerals. One of the brightest C-complex asteroids.

Position & Identifiers

RA 14h 35m 21.7s

Dec -19° 55' 09.4"

Constellation Libra (Lib)

Catalog Egeria

Wikipedia

Physical Properties

Diameter 208 km

Mass 1.0e19 kg

Albedo 0.08 (8% reflected)

Rotation 7.0 hours

Angular Size 0.1″ (current)

Orbital Properties

Semi-major Axis 2.5763 AU (385.4 million km)

Eccentricity 0.0847

Inclination 16.53°

Orbital Period 4.14 years

Distance 3.097 AU (25.8 light-min)

Elongation 56.1° Moderate

Brightness Forecast (next 12 months)

Apparent magnitude as Earth–asteroid distance changes through the year. The peak marks the brightest moment in the window — usually around opposition, when the asteroid is closest and fully illuminated.

Computed from JPL orbital elements via m = H + 5·log₁₀(r·Δ). Phase-function correction is omitted, so curves trace distance variation only — accurate within a few tenths for main-belt asteroids; coarse for fast-moving NEOs near Earth.

Observing Tips

Best Months February , March , April

Visibility Telescope

Where to Look In asteroid belt

Notes Greek water nymph; G-type (carbonaceous subgroup) — dark, damp surface thought to contain hydrated minerals. One of the brightest C-complex asteroids.