1779 Paraná, provisional designation 1950 LZ, is an asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 4 kilometers in diameter.

1779 Paraná
Discovery[1]
Discovered byM. Itzigsohn
Discovery siteLa Plata Obs.
Discovery date15 June 1950
Designations
(1779) Paraná
Named after
Paraná River[2]
(South American river)
1950 LZ · 1976 SF8
6116 P-L
main-belt · (inner)
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc66.86 yr (24,422 days)
Aphelion2.5262 AU
Perihelion1.8249 AU
2.1755 AU
Eccentricity0.1612
3.21 yr (1,172 days)
344.02°
0° 18m 25.92s / day
Inclination0.8987°
254.43°
11.493°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions4 km (calculated at 0.25)[3]
4.085±0.223 km[4]
0.221±0.023[4]
14.1[1]

The asteroid was discovered on 15 June 1950, by Argentine astronomer Miguel Itzigsohn at the La Plata Astronomical Observatory in La Plata, capital of the province of Buenos Aires.[5] It was named for the Paraná River in South America.[2]

Orbit and classification edit

Paraná orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.8–2.5 AU once every 3 years and 3 months (1,172 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.16 and an inclination of 1° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

As no precoveries were taken, and no prior identifications were made, Paraná's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation in 1950.[5] Paraná has also been cataloged by the Palomar–Leiden survey and received the survey designation 6116 P-L (PLS6116).[1][5]

Physical characteristics edit

Diameter and albedo edit

According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Paraná measures 4.09 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.221.[4] Based on a magnitude-to-diameter conversion, using an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25 and a magnitude of 14.1, the asteroid's generic diameter is between 4 and 9 kilometers.[3]

Rotation period edit

As of 2017, Paraná's spectral type, rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1][6]

Naming edit

This minor planet was named for a large and 4,880-kilometers long Paraná River that runs through northern Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. It is a major tributary to the La Plata river, where the city of La Plata and the discovering observatory are located (also see 1029 La Plata).[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 8 April 1982 (M.P.C. 6832).[7]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1779 Parana (1950 LZ)" (2017-04-26 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1779) Paraná". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1779) Paraná. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 142. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1780. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  3. ^ a b "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL. Archived from the original on 2 March 2001. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  4. ^ a b c 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 19 December 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "1779 Parana (1950 LZ)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  6. ^ "LCDB Data for (1779) Paraná". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  7. ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 19 December 2016.

External links edit