2285 Ron Helin

2285 Ron Helin, provisional designation 1976 QB, is a stony Florian asteroid from the inner region of the asteroid belt, approximately 4 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 27 August 1976, by American astronomer Schelte Bus at Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California.[5]

2285 Ron Helin
Discovery [1]
Discovered byS. J. Bus
Discovery sitePalomar Obs.
Discovery date27 August 1976
Designations
(2285) Ron Helin
Named after
Ronald P. Helin
husband of astronomer
Eleanor F. Helin[2]
1976 QB
main-belt · Flora [3]
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc40.54 yr (14,807 days)
Aphelion2.6815 AU
Perihelion1.7578 AU
2.2197 AU
Eccentricity0.2081
3.31 yr (1,208 days)
139.05°
0° 17m 52.8s / day
Inclination5.3339°
157.85°
182.81°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions4.11 km (calculated)[3]
12 h[4]
0.24 (assumed)[3]
S [3]
14.0[1] · 14.1[3]

    Orbit and characterization

    Ron Helin is a member of the Flora family, one of the largest groups of stony asteroids in the main-belt. It orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.8–2.7 AU once every 3 years and 4 months (1,208 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.21 and an inclination of 5° with respect to the ecliptic. Its rotation period is 12 hours.[1]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named in honor of Ronald Helin, husband of American astronomer Eleanor Helin (1932–2009), in appreciation of his support of the Palomar Planet-Crossing Asteroid Survey (PCAS).[2] The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 11 December 1981 (M.P.C. 6531).[6]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 2285 Ron Helin (1976 QB)" (2017-03-11 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
    2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(2285) Ron Helin". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (2285) Ron Helin. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 186. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_2286. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    3. "LCDB Data for (2285) Ron Helin". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 19 June 2017.
    4. Behrend, Raoul. "Asteroids and comets rotation curves – (2285) Ron Helin". Geneva Observatory. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
    5. "2285 Ron Helin (1976 QB)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
    6. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 19 June 2017.

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