11020 Orwell (provisional designation 1984 OG) is a background asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 14 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 31 July 1984, by Czech astronomer Antonín Mrkos at Kleť Observatory in the Czech Republic. The asteroid was named after English writer George Orwell.[2][3]

11020 Orwell
Discovery[1]
Discovered byA. Mrkos
Discovery siteKleť Obs.
Discovery date31 July 1984
Designations
11020 Orwell
Named after
George Orwell
(English writer)[2]
1984 OG · 1979 SA9
1999 GL5
main-belt · (outer)
background
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc36.93 yr (13,487 days)
Aphelion3.5620 AU
Perihelion2.6377 AU
3.0998 AU
Eccentricity0.1491
5.46 yr (1,993 days)
48.167°
0° 10m 50.16s / day
Inclination3.0130°
153.87°
136.87°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions14.466±0.115 km
0.089±0.004
12.6[1]

Classification and orbit

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Orwell orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.6–3.6 AU once every 5 years and 6 months (1,993 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.15 and an inclination of 3° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] It was first observed as 1979 SA9 at Crimea–Nauchnij in 1979, extending the body's observation arc by 5 years prior to its official discovery observation at Klet.[3]

Physical characteristics

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According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Orwell measures 14.466 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.089.[4] It has an absolute magnitude of 12.6.[1]

Lightcurves

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As of 2017, Orwell's spectral type, as well as its rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1][5]

Naming

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This minor planet was named for British writer Eric Blair (1903–1950), better known by his pen name George Orwell, who is associated with the year of the object's discovery, 1984, due to his dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, which explores the dangers of totalitarian rule. He is also known for the novel Animal Farm. The name was proposed by Czech astronomer Jana Tichá at Klet and supported by Brian G. Marsden.[2] The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 23 May 2000 (M.P.C. 40705).[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 11020 Orwell (1984 OG)" (2016-08-27 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(11020) Orwell". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (11020) Orwell. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 750. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_8188. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  3. ^ a b "11020 Orwell (1984 OG)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  4. ^ 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. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  5. ^ "LCDB Data for (11020) Orwell". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  6. ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
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