1850 Kohoutek

1850 Kohoutek
Discovery[1]
Discovered by K. Reinmuth
Discovery site Heidelberg Obs.
Discovery date 23 March 1942
Designations
MPC designation 1850 Kohoutek
Named after
Luboš Kohoutek (astronomer)[2]
1942 EN · 1949 KD
1953 SH · 1959 GR
1965 AQ
main-belt[1]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 31 July 2016 (JD 2457600.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc 74.21 yr (27,104 days)
Aphelion 2.5347 AU
Perihelion 1.9678 AU
2.2512 AU
Eccentricity 0.1259
3.38 yr (1,234 days)
306.88°
 17m 30.48s / day
Inclination 4.0507°
68.928°
190.55°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions 7.642±0.086 km[1][3]
0.181[1][3]
12.8[1]

    1850 Kohoutek, provisional designation 1942 EN, is an asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 8 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered during World War II on 23 March 1942, by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth at Heidelberg Observatory.[4]

    Since the discovery was made in the second half of March, the letter "E" in the provisional designation is erroneous. It should have been "F", but the initially incorrect assignment has persisted.

    The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.0–2.5 AU once every 3 years and 5 months (1,234 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.13 and an inclination of 4° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] 10 days prior to its discovery, the body was observed at Turku Observatory, Finland. However, these observations are not considered for the asteroid's orbital computation and its observation arc start with the discovery observation at Heidelberg.[4]

    According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, the asteroid measures 7.6 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.181.[3] As of 2016, the asteroid's composition, as well as its rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1]

    This minor planet was named in honor of the Czech astronomer, Luboš Kohoutek (b.1935), former staff member of the Hamburg-Bergedorf Observatory and prolific observer and discoverer of minor planets and comets, most notably 75D/Kohoutek, 76P/West–Kohoutek–Ikemura, and the long-period Comet Kohoutek. He has also contributed in the fields of planetary nebulae and emission-line stars.[2] Naming citation was published before November 1977 (M.P.C. 3935).[5]

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1850 Kohoutek (1942 EN)" (2016-06-06 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
    2. 1 2 Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1850) Kohoutek. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 148. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
    3. 1 2 3 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:1109.4096Freely accessible. Bibcode:2011ApJ...741...68M. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/741/2/68. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
    4. 1 2 "1850 Kohoutek (1942 EN)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
    5. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 8 September 2016.

    External links

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