| Discovery [1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Indiana University (Indiana Asteroid Program) |
| Discovery site | Goethe Link Obs. |
| Discovery date | 7 September 1962 |
| Designations | |
| (1827) Atkinson | |
Named after | Robert d'Escourt Atkinson (British astronomer) [2] |
| 1962 RK ·1931 VC 1955 FL ·1967 TL 1973 EQ | |
| main-belt ·(middle) | |
| Orbital characteristics [1] | |
| Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
| Observation arc | 85.41 yr (31,196 days) |
| Aphelion | 3.1907 AU |
| Perihelion | 2.2291 AU |
| 2.7099 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.1774 |
| 4.46 yr (1,629 days) | |
| 43.640° | |
| 0° 13m 15.24s / day | |
| Inclination | 4.5222° |
| 220.56° | |
| 239.58° | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 8.855±0.301 km [3] |
| 0.249±0.052 [3] | |
| Tholen = DU [1] B–V = 0.807 [1] | |
| 12.39 [1] | |
1827 Atkinson, provisional designation 1962 RK, is a background asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 9 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 7 September 1962, by IU's Indiana Asteroid Program at Goethe Link Observatory near Brooklyn, Indiana, United States. [4] The asteroid was named after British astronomer Robert d'Escourt Atkinson. [2]
Atkinson is not a member of any known asteroid family. [5] It orbits the Sun in the central main-belt at a distance of 2.2–3.2 AU once every 4 years and 6 months (1,629 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.18 and an inclination of 5° with respect to the ecliptic. [1]
The body's observation arc begins with its first identification as 1931 VC at Uccle Observatory in November 1931, almost 31 years prior to its official discovery observation at Goethe Link. [4]
In the Tholen classification, Atkinson is similar to a dark D-type asteroid, though with an unusual spectrum (DU). [1] This strongly disagrees with the albedo obtained by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), which indicates that is rather a stony S-type asteroid. [3]
As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Atkinson has been obtained from photometric observations. The asteroid's rotation period, shape and poles remain unknown. [1] [5]
According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Atkinson measures 8.855 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.249. [3]
This minor planet was named after British astronomer, physicist and inventor, Robert d'Escourt Atkinson (1898–1982), noted for his contributions to fundamental astronomy. Atkinson pioneered in studying nuclear energy-generation in the Sun and stars. [2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 15 October 1977 ( M.P.C. 4236). [6]
