This object is classified as a rare T-type asteroid, with parts of the spectrum displaying properties similar to the mineral troilite and to carbonaceous chondrite.[7] The shape of the spectrum also appears similar to fine grain from the Ornans meteorite, which landed in France in 1868.[8] The light curve for this asteroid displays a period of 10.758 ± 0.004 hours with a brightness variation of 0.25 ± 0.01 in magnitude.[6]
In 2001, 114 Kassandra was observed by radar from the Arecibo Observatory. The return signal matched an effective diameter of 100 ± 14 km. This is consistent with the asteroid dimensions computed through other means.[4]
In popular media
The 2009 miniseries Meteor featured 114 Kassandra being sent on a collision course with Earth due to a comet impact and the effort by scientists to stop it.
References
^'Cassandra' in Noah Webster (1884) A Practical Dictionary of the English Language
^ abcdPravec, P.; et al. (May 2012), "Absolute Magnitudes of Asteroids and a Revision of Asteroid Albedo Estimates from WISE Thermal Observations", Asteroids, Comets, Meteors 2012, Proceedings of the conference held May 16–20, 2012 in Niigata, Japan, vol. 1667, no. 1667, p. 6089, Bibcode:2012LPICo1667.6089P.
^ abHutton, R. G.; Blain, A. (December 1988), "V+B Photoelectric Photometry of Asteroid 114 Kassandra", The Minor Planet Bulletin, 15: 39, Bibcode:1988MPBu...15...39H.
^Hamilton, Victoria E. (March 2010), "Thermal infrared (vibrational) spectroscopy of Mg-Fe olivines: A review and applications to determining the composition of planetary surfaces", Chemie der Erde - Geochemistry, vol. 70, no. 1, pp. 7–33, Bibcode:2010ChEG...70....7H, doi:10.1016/j.chemer.2009.12.005.