11 Parthenope (par-then'-a-pee) is a large, bright Main belt asteroid. It is a mixture of metallic nickel-iron with magnesium- and iron silicates.
Parthenope was discovered by A. de Gasparis on May 11, 1850, his second of many asteroid discoveries. It was named after one of the Sirens in Greek mythology, said to have founded the city of Naples. De Gasparis "used his utmost endeavours to realise a Parthenope in the heavens, such being the name suggested by Sir John Herschel on the occasion of the discovery of 10 Hygiea in 1849" (De Gasparis, Annibale, The New Planet Parthenope, Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 10, pp. 144–147 (May 1850)).
There has been one observed stellar occultation by Parthenope, on February 13, 1987.