2099 Öpik
| Discovery [1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | E. F. Helin |
| Discovery site | Palomar Obs. |
| Discovery date | 8 November 1977 |
| Designations | |
| MPC designation | 2099 Opik |
Named after |
Ernst Öpik (astronomer)[2] |
| 1977 VB · 1977 UL2 | |
| Mars-crosser[1][3] | |
| Orbital characteristics [1] | |
| Epoch 27 June 2015 (JD 2457200.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
| Observation arc | 44.76 yr (16,348 days) |
| Aphelion | 3.1370 AU |
| Perihelion | 1.4693 AU |
| 2.3032 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.3620 |
| 3.50 yr (1,277 days) | |
| 283.22° | |
| Inclination | 26.962° |
| 218.85° | |
| 159.13° | |
| Earth MOID | 0.4915 AU |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 5.12 km (calculated)[3] |
|
6.4430±0.0002 h[4] 9.3 h[5] | |
| 0.057 (assumed)[3] | |
|
B–V = 0.690 U–B = 0.350 S (Tholen)[1] Ch (SMASS)[1] C (CALL)[3] | |
| 15.18[1] | |
|
| |
2099 Öpik, provisional designation 1977 VB, is a dark and eccentric asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, classified as Mars-crossing asteroid, about 5 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by American female astronomer Eleanor Helin at the U.S. Palomar Observatory in California, on 8 November 1977.[6]
The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.5–3.1 AU once every 3 years and 6 months (1,277 days). Its orbit shows an eccentricity of 0.36 and is tilted by 27 degrees to the plane of the ecliptic. Paradoxically, the asteroid's spectral types is that of a bright S-type and of a dark Ch-type, on the Tholen and SMASS taxonomic scheme, respectively,[1] while the Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link (CALL) assumes a low albedo of 0.06, which is typical for carbonaceous asteroids and in accordance with the SMASS classification.[3]
In 2005, a photometric light-curve analysis by several astronomers including Pierre Antonini, rendered a rotation period of 6.4430±0.0002 hours and with a brightness amplitude of 0.21 in magnitude,[4] superseding the results of an observation from the 1990s that gave a significantly longer period.[5]
The minor planet was named in honor of Estonian astronomer and astrophysicist, Ernst Öpik (1893–1985), who has influenced almost every branch of astronomy during his 60-year long career. In particular, he has developed the discipline of statistical celestial mechanics and of methods for estimating the lifetimes of small bodies on planet-crossing orbits. In 1951, Öpik computed the probability of Mars-crossing asteroids colliding with Mars. He also inferred, that it would be worthwhile to search for impact craters on Mars, 14 years before their discovery by Mariner 4.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 2099 Opik (1977 VB)" (2015-09-06 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved January 2016.
- 1 2 Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (2099) Öpik. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 170. ISBN 978-3-540-29925-7. Retrieved January 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "LCDB Data for (2099) Opik". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved January 2016.
- 1 2 Behrend, Raoul. "Asteroids and comets rotation curves – (2099) Opik". Geneva Observatory. Retrieved January 2016.
- 1 2 Goretti, V. (December 2000). "CCD Photometry of the Mars-crosser Asteroid 2099 Opik". Bulletin of the Minor Planets (Section of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers) 27: 46. Bibcode:2000MPBu...27...46G. Retrieved January 2016.
- ↑ "2099 Opik (1977 VB)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved January 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
- 2099 Öpik at the JPL Small-Body Database
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