2311 El Leoncito

2311 El Leoncito, provisional designation 1974 TA1, is a dark and reddish asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 53 kilometers in diameter. The asteroid was discovered by astronomers at Félix Aguilar Observatory at the Leoncito Astronomical Complex in Argentina on 10 October 1974.[3] It was later named after the discovering site.

2311 El Leoncito
Discovery [1]
Discovered byFélix Aguilar Obs.
Discovery siteEl Leoncito
Discovery date10 October 1974
Designations
(2311) El Leoncito
Named after
El Leoncito (observatories)[2]
1974 TA1 · 1928 DM
1944 KD · 1972 KH
1972 LM · 1976 AE
main-belt · (outer)
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc44.87 yr (16,387 days)
Aphelion3.7866 AU
Perihelion3.4866 AU
3.6366 AU
Eccentricity0.0412
6.94 yr (2,533 days)
107.06°
0° 8m 31.56s / day
Inclination6.6174°
156.68°
189.64°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions53.1±3 km (IRAS:10)[1]
0.0388±0.005 (IRAS:10)[1]
Tholen = D [1]
B–V = 0.752[1]
U–B = 0.209[1]
10.52[1]

    Orbit and classification

    El Leoncito orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 3.5–3.8 AU once every 6 years and 11 months (2,533 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.04 and an inclination of 7° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

    It has a well-observed orbit with the lowest possible uncertainty – a condition code of 0 – and an observation arc that spans over a period of almost half a century, using precovery images on photographic plates from 1972.

    Physical characteristics

    El Leoncito is characterized as a D-type asteroid in the Tholen taxonomy, one of only 46 known asteroids of this spectral type.[4]

    The body has a low albedo of 0.04, typical for D-type asteroids.[4] Its rotation period, however, remains unknown.[1]

    Naming

    This minor planet derives its name from the Spanish name of the discovering astronomical complex of observatories, the Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (CASLEO).[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 22 September 1983 (M.P.C. 8153).[5]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 2311 El Leoncito (1974 TA1)" (2017-03-29 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
    2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(2311) el Leoncito". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (2311) El Leoncito. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 188. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_2312. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    3. "2311 El Leoncito (1974 TA1)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
    4. "JPL Small-Body Database Search list of D-type minor planets (Tholen and SMASSII)". JPL Solar System Dynamics. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
    5. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 7 December 2016.

    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.