6229 Tursachan

Last updated

6229 Tursachan
Discovery  [1]
Discovered by B. A. Skiff
Discovery site Anderson Mesa Stn.
Discovery date4 November 1983
Designations
(6229) Tursachan
Named after
"Standing Stones"  [1]
(Gaelic language)
1983 VN7 ·1988 RC2
main-belt   [1] [2]  ·(outer)
Themis   [3] [4]
Orbital characteristics   [2]
Epoch 23 March 2018 (JD 2458200.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc 34.40 yr (12,565 d)
Aphelion 3.6472 AU
Perihelion 2.5155 AU
3.0814 AU
Eccentricity 0.1836
5.41 yr (1,976 d)
142.06°
0° 10m 55.92s / day
Inclination 1.6495°
146.28°
234.29°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
8.61  km (calculated) [4]
10.34±2.69 km [5]
11.18±3.50 km [6]
11.603±0.070 km [7] [8]
16.596±0.0167  h [9]
0.07±0.04 [5]
0.076±0.012 [7] [8]
0.089±0.113 [6]
0.08(assumed) [4]
C (assumed) [4]
13.00 [6] [8]
13.2 [2]
13.236±0.003(R) [9]
13.39±0.24 [10]
13.44 [5]
13.69 [4]

    6229 Tursachan, provisional designation 1983 VN7, is a Themistian asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 4 November 1983, by American astronomer Brian Skiff at Lowell's Anderson Mesa Station near Flagstaff, Arizona, in the United States. [1] The presumed C-type asteroid has a rotation period of 16.6 hours and is possibly elongated. [4] It was named after a Gaelic word meaning "Standing Stones". [1]

    Contents

    Orbit and classification

    Tursachan is a Themistian asteroid that belongs to the Themis family ( 602 ), [3] a very large family of carbonaceous asteroids, named after 24 Themis. [4] [11] : 23 

    It orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.5–3.6  AU once every 5 years and 5 months (1,976 days; semi-major axis of 3.08 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.18 and an inclination of 2° with respect to the ecliptic. [2] The body's observation arc begins with a precovery taken at Palomar Observatory just 5 nights prior to its official discovery observation at Anderson Mesa. [1]

    Physical characteristics

    Tursachan is an assumed C-type asteroid, [4] which agrees with the overall spectral type for members of the Themis family. [11] : 23 

    Rotation period

    In September 2010, a rotational lightcurve of Tursachan was obtained from photometric observations in the R-band by astronomers at the Palomar Transient Factory in California. Lightcurve analysis gave a rotation period of 16.596 hours with a brightness amplitude of 0.57 magnitude, indicative of an elongated shape ( U=2 ). [4] [9]

    Diameter and albedo

    According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Tursachan measures between 10.34 and 11.603 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo between 0.07 and 0.089. [5] [6] [7] [8]

    The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes an albedo of 0.08 and calculates a diameter of 8.61 kilometers based on an absolute magnitude of 13.69. [4]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named after the term "Tursachan", which means "Standing Stones" in the Gaelic language, and refers to the stones often placed in circles during the Neolithic (approximately 10,000 BC to 2000 BC) on the British Isles. These stones may have been used to follow the seasons and mark astronomical events. [1] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 11 February 1998 ( M.P.C. 31296). [12]

    Related Research Articles

    Athalia, provisional designation 1903 ME, is a carbonaceous Themistian asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 40 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 20 September 1903, by German astronomer Max Wolf at the Heidelberg Observatory in southwest Germany. The asteroid was named after the ancient Judahite queen Athaliah.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">1073 Gellivara</span> Asteroid

    1073 Gellivara, provisional designation 1923 OW, is a dark Themistian asteroid, approximately 27 kilometers in diameter, located in the outer regions of the asteroid belt. It was discovered by Austrian astronomer Johann Palisa at the Vienna Observatory on 14 September 1923, and later named after the Swedish town of Gällivare.

    6433 Enya, provisional designation 1978 WC, is a stony background asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 7 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 18 November 1978, by Czech astronomer Antonín Mrkos at the Kleť Observatory in the Czech Republic. It was named for Irish musician Enya.

    1159 Granada, provisional designation 1929 RD, is a dark background asteroid and relatively slow rotator from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 30 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 2 September 1929, by astronomer Karl Reinmuth at the Heidelberg Observatory in southwest Germany. The asteroid was named for the Spanish city and province of Granada.

    12359 Cajigal, provisional designation 1993 SN3, is a carbonaceous Themistian asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 12 kilometers in diameter.

    (9928) 1981 WE9, provisional designation 1981 WE9, is a stony Florian asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 3 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 16 November 1981, by astronomers at Perth Observatory in Bickley, Australia.

    15262 Abderhalden, provisional designation 1990 TG4, is a carbonaceous Themistian asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 12 kilometers in diameter.

    6349 Acapulco, provisional designation 1995 CN1, is a dark Adeonian asteroid from the middle region of the asteroid belt, approximately 22 kilometers in diameter.

    4151 Alanhale, provisional designation 1985 HV1, is a carbonaceous Themistian asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 19 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by the American astronomer couple Carolyn and Eugene Shoemaker at the U.S. Palomar Observatory, California, on 24 April 1985. It was named for American astronomer Alan Hale.

    11277 Ballard, provisional designation 1988 TW2, is a Phocaea asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 6.3 kilometers (3.9 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 8 October 1988, by American astronomer couple Carolyn and Eugene Shoemaker at the Palomar Observatory in California. The assumed S-type asteroid has a rotation period of at least 10 hours. It was named for American marine scientist Robert Ballard.

    1253 Frisia, provisional designation 1931 TV1, is a carbonaceous Themistian asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 20 kilometers in diameter. Discovered by Karl Reinmuth at Heidelberg Observatory in 1931, the asteroid was later named after the region of Frisia and the Frisian Islands.

    2324 Janice, provisional designation 1978 VS4, is a dark background asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 7 November 1978, by American astronomers Eleanor Helin and Schelte Bus at the Palomar Observatory in California. The asteroid was named for Janice Cline at Caltech. The presumably C-type asteroid has a rotation period of 23.2 hours.

    5385 Kamenka, provisional designation 1975 TS3, is a background asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 3 October 1975, by Soviet astronomer Lyudmila Chernykh at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Nauchnij, on the Crimean peninsula. The presumed C-type asteroid has a rotation period of 6.68 hours. It was named for the Ukrainian town of Kamianka.

    4789 Sprattia, provisional designation 1987 UU2, is a stony background asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 20 October 1987, by Canadian astronomer David Balam at the Climenhaga Observatory (657) in Victoria, Canada. The S-type asteroid has a rotation period of 3.1 hours and was named after Canadian amateur astronomer Christopher E. Spratt.

    4176 Sudek, provisional designation 1987 DS, is a Themistian asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 17 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 24 February 1987, by Czech astronomer Antonín Mrkos at the Kleť Observatory in the Czech Republic. The presumed C-type asteroid has a rotation period of 8.16 hours. It was named in memory of Czech photographer Josef Sudek.

    2169 Taiwan, provisional designation 1964 VP1, is a carbonaceous Astridian asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 17 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 9 November 1964, by astronomers at the Purple Mountain Observatory near Nanking, China. It was named for Taiwan.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">3962 Valyaev</span>

    3962 Valyaev is a dark Themistian asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt. The presumed C-type asteroid has a rotation period of 16.4 hours and measures approximately 15 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 8 February 1967, by Russian astronomer Tamara Smirnova at Nauchnyj on the Crimean peninsula, and later named after Russian astronomer Valerij Valyaev.

    10241 Miličević, provisional designation 1999 AU6, is a carbonaceous Themistian asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 9 January 1999, by Croatian astronomer Korado Korlević at the Višnjan Observatory in Croatia. The C-type asteroid has a short rotation period of 3.87 hours and was named after hermit and amateur astronomer Don Nikola Miličević.

    7526 Ohtsuka, provisional designation 1993 AA, is a stony asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 7 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by Japanese astronomer Takeshi Urata at Nihondaira Observatory Oohira Station, Japan, on 2 January 1993. The asteroid was named after Japanese astronomer Katsuhito Ohtsuka.

    15224 Penttilä, provisional designation 1985 JG, is a dark background asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 8 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 15 May 1985, by American astronomer Edward Bowell at Lowell's Anderson Mesa Station in Arizona, United States. The likely elongated asteroid has a rotation period of 4.4 hours. It was named after planetary scientist Antti Penttilä at the University of Helsinki.

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "6229 Tursachan (1983 VN7)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
    2. 1 2 3 4 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 6229 Tursachan (1983 VN7)" (2018-03-25 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory . Retrieved 21 April 2018.
    3. 1 2 "Asteroid 6229 Tursachan – Nesvorny HCM Asteroid Families V3.0". Small Bodies Data Ferret. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
    4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "LCDB Data for (6229) Tursachan". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 21 April 2018.
    5. 1 2 3 4 Nugent, C. R.; Mainzer, A.; Bauer, J.; Cutri, R. M.; Kramer, E. A.; Grav, T.; et al. (September 2016). "NEOWISE Reactivation Mission Year Two: Asteroid Diameters and Albedos". The Astronomical Journal. 152 (3): 12. arXiv: 1606.08923 . Bibcode:2016AJ....152...63N. doi: 10.3847/0004-6256/152/3/63 .
    6. 1 2 3 4 Masiero, Joseph R.; Mainzer, A. K.; Grav, T.; Bauer, J. M.; Cutri, R. M.; Nugent, C.; et al. (November 2012). "Preliminary Analysis of WISE/NEOWISE 3-Band Cryogenic and Post-cryogenic Observations of Main Belt Asteroids". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 759 (1): 5. arXiv: 1209.5794 . Bibcode:2012ApJ...759L...8M. doi:10.1088/2041-8205/759/1/L8.
    7. 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: 1109.4096 . Bibcode:2011ApJ...741...68M. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/741/2/68.
    8. 1 2 3 4 Mainzer, A.; Grav, T.; Masiero, J.; Hand, E.; Bauer, J.; Tholen, D.; et al. (November 2011). "NEOWISE Studies of Spectrophotometrically Classified Asteroids: Preliminary Results". The Astrophysical Journal. 741 (2): 25. arXiv: 1109.6407 . Bibcode:2011ApJ...741...90M. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/741/2/90.
    9. 1 2 3 Waszczak, Adam; Chang, Chan-Kao; Ofek, Eran O.; Laher, Russ; Masci, Frank; Levitan, David; et al. (September 2015). "Asteroid Light Curves from the Palomar Transient Factory Survey: Rotation Periods and Phase Functions from Sparse Photometry". The Astronomical Journal. 150 (3): 35. arXiv: 1504.04041 . Bibcode:2015AJ....150...75W. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/150/3/75.
    10. ↑ Veres, Peter; Jedicke, Robert; Fitzsimmons, Alan; Denneau, Larry; Granvik, Mikael; Bolin, Bryce; et al. (November 2015). "Absolute magnitudes and slope parameters for 250,000 asteroids observed by Pan-STARRS PS1 - Preliminary results". Icarus. 261: 34–47. arXiv: 1506.00762 . Bibcode:2015Icar..261...34V. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2015.08.007.
    11. 1 2 Nesvorný, D.; Broz, M.; Carruba, V. (December 2014). "Identification and Dynamical Properties of Asteroid Families". Asteroids IV. pp. 297–321. arXiv: 1502.01628 . Bibcode:2015aste.book..297N. doi:10.2458/azu_uapress_9780816532131-ch016. ISBN   9780816532131.
    12. ↑ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.