1239 Queteleta

1239 Queteleta (kətlɛta), provisional designation 1932 CB, is a dark background asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 17 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 4 February 1932, by Belgian astronomer Eugène Delporte at the Royal Observatory of Belgium in Uccle.[6] The asteroid was named after Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian astronomer and mathematician.[2]

1239 Queteleta
Discovery [1]
Discovered byE. Delporte
Discovery siteUccle Obs.
Discovery date4 February 1932
Designations
(1239) Queteleta
Pronunciationkətlɛta
Named after
Adolphe Quetelet [2]
(Belgian astronomer)
1932 CB · 1978 TH3
main-belt · (middle)
background [3]
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc85.80 yr (31,340 d)
Aphelion3.2824 AU
Perihelion2.0383 AU
2.6603 AU
Eccentricity0.2338
4.34 yr (1,585 days)
271.62°
0° 13m 37.56s / day
Inclination1.6619°
73.160°
35.475°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions15.94±1.8 km[4]
18.032±0.076 km[5]
0.051±0.013[5]
0.0695±0.019[4]
12.4[1] · 12.5[4]

    Discovery

    Queteleta was discovered on 4 February 1932, by Belgian astronomer Eugène Delporte at the Royal Observatory of Belgium in Uccle.[6] It was independently discovered by Louis Boyer at Algiers Observatory, Algeria, on the same night and by George Van Biesbroeck at Yerkes Observatory, United States, on 13 February 1932.[2] The Minor Planet Center only recognizes the first mentioned discoverer.[6]

    Orbit and classification

    Queteleta is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population.[3] It orbits the Sun in the central main-belt at a distance of 2.0–3.3 AU once every 4 years and 4 months (1,585 days; semi-major axis of 2.66 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.23 and an inclination of 2° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] The body's observation arc begins at with its official discovery observation at Uccle in 1932.[6]

    Physical characteristics

    The asteroid's spectral type has not been determined,[1] but its low albedo (see below) is typical for that of a carbonaceous C-type asteroid.

    Diameter and albedo

    According to the surveys carried out by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS and the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Queteleta measures 15.94 and 18.032 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.0695 and 0.051, respectively.[4][5]

    Rotation period, poles and shape

    As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of Queteleta has been obtained from photometric observations. The asteroid's rotation period, shape and poles remain unknown.[1][7]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named after Belgian astronomer and mathematician Adolphe Quetelet (1796–1874), whose research also encompassed several other scientific disciplines such as statistics, demography, sociology, criminology and the history of science. The official naming citation was mentioned in The Names of the Minor Planets by Paul Herget in 1955 (H 114). He was also honored by the lunar crater Quetelet.[2]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1239 Queteleta (1932 CB)" (2017-11-24 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
    2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1239) Queteleta". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1239) Queteleta. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 103. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1240. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    3. "Asteroid 1239 Queteleta – Proper Elements". AstDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
    4. Tedesco, E. F.; Noah, P. V.; Noah, M.; Price, S. D. (October 2004). "IRAS Minor Planet Survey V6.0". NASA Planetary Data System. 12: IRAS-A-FPA-3-RDR-IMPS-V6.0. Bibcode:2004PDSS...12.....T. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
    5. Masiero, Joseph R.; Mainzer, A. K.; Grav, T.; Bauer, J. M.; Cutri, R. M.; Dailey, J.; et al. (November 2011). "Main Belt Asteroids with WISE/NEOWISE. I. Preliminary Albedos and Diameters". The Astrophysical Journal. 741 (2): 20. arXiv:1109.4096. Bibcode:2011ApJ...741...68M. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/741/2/68. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
    6. "1239 Queteleta (1932 CB)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
    7. "LCDB Data for (1239) Queteleta". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 4 January 2018.

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