2311 El Leoncito
| Discovery [1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Félix Aguilar Observatory |
| Discovery site | El Leoncito |
| Discovery date | 10 October 1974 |
| Designations | |
| MPC designation | 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 27 June 2015 (JD 2457200.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
| Observation arc | 43.45 yr (15,870 days) |
| Aphelion | 3.7897 AU |
| Perihelion | 3.4886 AU |
| 3.6391 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.0413 |
| 6.94 yr (2,536 days) | |
| 352.42° | |
| Inclination | 6.6171° |
| 156.68° | |
| 190.67° | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 53.1±3 km (IRAS)[1] |
| 0.0388±0.005[1] | |
|
BV = 0.752 UB = 0.209 tholen = D[1] | |
| 10.52[1] | |
|
| |
2311 El Leoncito, provisional designation 1974 TA1, is a dark and reddish asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, about 53 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by astronomers at Félix Aguilar Observatory at the Leoncito Astronomical Complex in Argentina on 10 October 1974.[3]
The asteroid is classified as a D-type body in the Tholen taxonomic classification, one of only 46 known asteroids of this spectral type.[4] 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. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 3.5–3.8 AU once every 6 years and 11 months (2,536 days). Its orbit shows an eccentricity of 0.04 and is tilted by 7 degrees to the plane of the ecliptic.[1] The body has a low albedo of 0.04, typical for D-type asteroids.[4] Its rotation period, however, remains unknown.
The minor planet derives its name from the Spanish name of the discovering astronomical complex of observatories, the Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 2311 El Leoncito (1974 TA1)" (2015-10-29 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved December 2015.
- 1 2 "Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (2311) El Leoncito". Springer Berlin Heidelberg. 2007. p. 188. Retrieved October 2015.
- ↑ "2311 El Leoncito (1974 TA1)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved December 2015.
- 1 2 "JPL Small-Body Database Search list of D-type minor planets (Tholen and SMASSII)". JPL Solar System Dynamics. Retrieved December 2015.
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
- 2311 El Leoncito at the JPL Small-Body Database
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