9 Metis (mee'-tis) is one of the largest Main belt asteroids. It is composed of silicates and metallic nickel-iron.

Metis was discovered by A. Graham on April 25, 1848; his only asteroid discovery. It is also the only asteroid to have been discovered from Ireland. Its name comes from the mythological Metis, a Titaness, daughter of Tethys and Oceanus (and thus an Oceanid), who was the first wife of Zeus and the mother of Athena. Zeus devoured her lest she bear a child more powerful than he.

Light curve data on Metis led to an assumption that it could have a satellite. However, subsequent observations failed to confirm this. [1] [2] Metis was later observed with the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993, which was able to resolve the irregular shape of the asteroid, but no satellites were detected. [3]

Metis has been observed occulting a star no less than 5 times.

Metis is also the name of a satellite of Jupiter.

External links

• "Notice of discovery of Metis", MNRAS 8 (1848) 146
• Irish Astronomical History: Markree Castle Observatory and The Discovery of the Asteroid Metis