68109 Naomipasachoff (provisional designation 2000 YH135) is a background asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 3.5 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 17 December 2000, by astronomers of the LONEOS program at the Anderson Mesa Station near Flagstaff, Arizona, in the United States. The asteroid was named after American biographer and research associate, Naomi Pasachoff.[2]

68109 Naomipasachoff
Discovery [1]
Discovered byLONEOS
Discovery siteAnderson Mesa Stn.
Discovery date17 December 2000
Designations
(68109) Naomipasachoff
Named after
Naomi Pasachoff [2]
(American biographer)
2000 YH135 · 2000 XZ54
2002 CY169
main-belt[2] · (inner)
background[3]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc18.92 yr (6,909 days)
Aphelion2.7247 AU
Perihelion2.2163 AU
2.4705 AU
Eccentricity0.1029
3.88 yr (1,418 days)
238.53°
0° 15m 13.68s / day
Inclination8.7285°
119.05°
171.04°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
3.581±0.061 km[4]
0.218±0.059[4]
15.0[2][1]

Orbit and classification edit

Naomipasachoff is a non-family from the main belt's background population.[3] It orbits the Sun in the inner asteroid belt at a distance of 2.2–2.7 AU once every 3 years and 11 months (1,418 days; semi-major axis of 2.47 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.10 and an inclination of 9° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

The body's observation arc begins with a precovery taken at Lincoln Laboratory ETS in March 1998, more than 2 years prior to its official discovery observation at Anderson Mesa.[2]

Naming edit

This minor planet was named by LONEOS-astronomer Edward Bowell after American biographer and research associate, Naomi Pasachoff (born 1947), who has written several scientific biographies. Her published work includes biographies of Marie Curie, Alexander Graham Bell, Niels Bohr, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Linus Pauling. She is also an amateur astronomer.[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 6 January 2007 (M.P.C. 58596).[5]

Physical characteristics edit

Rotation period edit

As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of Naomipasachoff has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.[1][6]

Diameter and albedo edit

According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Naomipasachoff measures 3.581 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.218.[4] Based on its albedo and its location in the inner asteroid belt, Naomipasachoff is possibly a common, stony S-type asteroid.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 68109 Naomipasachoff (2000 YH135)" (2017-02-01 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "68109 Naomipasachoff (2000 YH135)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Asteroid 68109 Naomipasachoff – Proper Elements". AstDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  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.
  5. ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  6. ^ "LCDB Data for (68109) Naomipasachoff". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 1 February 2018.

External links edit