617 Patroclus is a large asteroid located in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on October 24, 1906, by the astronomer Max Wolf. The asteroid is named after Patroclus, a character from Homer's Iliad, who was a close companion of Achilles. Patroclus has an irregular shape and is estimated to be about 113 kilometers in diameter. It orbits the Sun every 4.5 years and is classified as a C-type asteroid, which means it is rich in carbon and has a dark surface. Its composition provides valuable insights into the early solar system.