238 Hypatia is a very large Main belt asteroid. It is classified as a C-type asteroid and is probably composed of privitive carbonates. Like many asteroids of this type, its surface is very dark in colour.

It was discovered by Viktor Knorre on July 1, 1884 in Berlin. It was third of his total of four asteroid discoveries.

The name was given in honour of philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria.

References

• The Asteroid Orbital Elements Database
• Minor Planet Discovery Circumstances
• Asteroid Lightcurve Data File