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 Virgo

13 Egeria

Asteroid Virgo 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 13h 45m 26.0s

Dec -04° 55' 37.7"

Constellation Virgo

Catalog Egeria

Wikipedia

Physical Properties

Diameter 208 km

Mass 1.0e19 kg

Albedo 0.08 (8% reflected)

Rotation 7.0 hours

Angular Size 0.2″ (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 1.566 AU (13.0 light-min)

Elongation 165.3° Near opposition

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.