11948 Justinehénin

11948 Justinehénin, provisional designation 1993 QQ4, is a Themistian asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 12 kilometers in diameter.

11948 Justinehénin
Discovery [1]
Discovered byE. W. Elst
Discovery siteCERGA (Caussols Obs.)
Discovery date18 August 1993
Designations
(11948) Justinehénin
Named after
Justine Henin
(Belgian tennis player)[2]
1993 QQ4 · 1973 AE3
1991 EJ8 · 1997 GW24
main-belt · (inner)
Themis
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc44.01 yr (16,076 days)
Aphelion3.5804 AU
Perihelion2.8195 AU
3.2000 AU
Eccentricity0.1189
5.72 yr (2,091 days)
168.53°
0° 10m 19.92s / day
Inclination1.8914°
159.16°
75.735°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions12 km (calculated at 0.06)[3]
13.2[1]

    The asteroid was discovered on 18 August 1993, by Belgian astronomer Eric Elst at CERGA (010) in Caussols, southeastern France.[4] It was named for tennis player Justine Henin.[2]

    Orbit and classification

    Justinehénin orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.8–3.6 AU once every 5 years and 9 months (2,091 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.12 and an inclination of 2° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] The first identification was made at Crimea–Nauchnij in 1973, extending the asteroid's observation arc by 31 years prior to its discovery.[4]

    Physical characteristics

    Diameter and albedo

    Based on an absolute magnitude of 13.2,[1] Justinehénin potentially measures between 6 and 14 kilometers in diameter, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25.[3] Since asteroids in the outer main-belt are mostly of a carbonaceous rather than of a silicaceous composition, with low albedos, typically around 0.06, Justinehénin's diameter might be on the upper end of NASA's published conversion table, as the lower the body's reflectivity (albedo), the larger its diameter at a constant absolute magnitude (brightness).[3]

    Lightcurves

    As of 2017, the asteroid's effective size, its composition and albedo, as well as its rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1][5]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named for Belgian former professional tennis player Justine Henin (b. 1985). Although her name (usually)[6] contains no acute accent, the asteroid's official name does.[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 10 September 2003 (M.P.C. 49674).[7]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 11948 Justinehenin (1993 QQ4)" (2017-01-07 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
    2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). "(11948) Justinehénin [3.21, 0.11, 1.9]". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (11948) Justinehénin, Addendum to Fifth Edition: 2003–2005. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 66. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-34361-5_612. ISBN 978-3-540-34361-5.
    3. "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
    4. "11948 Justinehenin (1993 QQ4)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
    5. "LCDB Data for (11948) Justinehénin". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 23 June 2017.
    6. https://group.bnpparibas/en/news/bnp-paribas-presents-solidarity-initiatives-including-rglegendstalks-tribute-roland-garros
    7. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 9 July 2016.

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