588 Achilles

Also known as (588) Achilles, Achilles

Jupiter trojan

AI overview

588 Achilles is a large asteroid that shares Jupiter's orbit around the Sun, belonging to a special group of asteroids called Jupiter trojans. Scientists study it and similar objects because they provide clues about the early formation and structure of our solar system.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Picture of the Day · NASA

Jupiter and Venus from Earth

2026-06-07

It was visible around the world. The sunset conjunction of Jupiter (left) and Venus (right) in 2012 was visible almost no matter where you lived on Earth. Anyone on our planet with a clear western horizon at sunset could see them. That year, a creative photographer traveled away from the town lights of Szubin, Poland to photograph a near closest approach of the two planets. The bright planets were then separated by only three degrees and his daughter struck a humorous pose. A faint red sunset still glowed in the background. Jupiter and Venus are together again this week after sunset, passing within a degree of each other about two days from today.

Key facts

Discovered by: M. F. Wolf
Discovery site: Heidelberg Obs.
Discovery date: 22 February 1906
Pronunciation: / ə ˈ k ɪ l iː z /
Named after: Achilles (Greek mythology)
Alternative designations: 1906 TG

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Article

588 Achilles is a large Jupiter trojan asteroid of the Greek camp. Achilles was the first Jupiter trojan to be discovered, and was discovered by Max Wolf at the Heidelberg Observatory in 1906. Wolf named the minor planet after the legendary hero Achilles from Greek mythology. The dark D-type asteroid measures approximately 133 kilometers (83 miles) in diameter which makes it one of the 10 largest Jupiter trojans. It has a rotation period of 7.3 hours and possibly a spherical shape.

Discovery