1861 Komenský
| Discovery [1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | L. Kohoutek |
| Discovery site | Bergedorf Obs. |
| Discovery date | 24 November 1970 |
| Designations | |
| MPC designation | 1861 Komenský |
Named after |
John Amos Comenius (Czech theologist)[2] |
| 1970 WB | |
| main-belt[1] | |
| Orbital characteristics [1] | |
| Epoch 31 July 2016 (JD 2457600.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
| Observation arc | 45.37 yr (16,571 days) |
| Aphelion | 3.2134 AU |
| Perihelion | 2.8261 AU |
| 3.0197 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.0641 |
| 5.25 yr (1,917 days) | |
| 8.4495° | |
| 0° 11m 16.08s / day | |
| Inclination | 10.456° |
| 23.586° | |
| 267.81° | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 26 km (est. at 0.08)[3] |
| 11.7[1] | |
|
| |
1861 Komenský, provisional designation 1970 WB, is an asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, estimated to measure approximately 26 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek at the Bergedorf Observatory in Hamburg, Germany on 24 November 1970.[4]
The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.8–3.2 AU once every 5 years and 3 months (1,916 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.06 and an inclination of 10° with respect to the ecliptic. It has a well-observed orbit with the lowest possible uncertainty, a condition code of 0, and an observation arc that spans over a time period of almost half a century. As of 2016, the asteroid's effective size, its composition and albedo, as well as its rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1]
Based on an absolute magnitude of 16.7, the asteroid is calculated to measure between 14 and 28 kilometers in diameter, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25.[3] Since most asteroids in the outer main-belt are of a carbonaceous rather than of a silicaceous composition, with low albedos, typically around 0.06, the asteroid's diameter might be on the lower end of NASA's published conversion table, as the higher the body's reflectivity (albedo), the smaller its diameter, for a given absolute magnitude (brightness).[3]
It was named in honor of Czech educational reformer and theologist, John Amos Comenius (1592–1670), known as Jan Amos Komenský in the original Czech language. He is considered the father of modern education and spend most of his life in exile.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1861 Komensky (1970 WB)" (2016-04-07 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- 1 2 Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1861) Komenský. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 149. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ↑ "1861 Komensky (1970 WB)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
External links
- Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB), query form (info)
- Dictionary of Minor Planet Names, Google books
- Asteroids and comets rotation curves, CdR – Observatoire de Genève, Raoul Behrend
- Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (1)-(5000) – Minor Planet Center
- 1861 Komenský at the JPL Small-Body Database
