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]
| 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] | |
Orbit and classification edit
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]
Physical characteristics edit
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]
Rotation period edit
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]
Diameter and albedo edit
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]
Naming edit
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]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1827 Atkinson (1962 RK)" (2017-03-29 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1827) Atkinson". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1827) Atkinson. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 146. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1828. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
- ^ a b c d 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 5 September 2017.
- ^ a b "1827 Atkinson (1962 RK)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ^ a b "LCDB Data for (1827) Atkinson". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2009). "Appendix – Publication Dates of the MPCs". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – Addendum to Fifth Edition (2006–2008). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 221. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-01965-4. ISBN 978-3-642-01964-7.
External links edit
- Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB), query form (info Archived 16 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine)
- Dictionary of Minor Planet Names, Google books
- Asteroids and comets rotation curves, CdR – Observatoire de Genève, Raoul Behrend
- Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (1)-(5000) – Minor Planet Center
- 1827 Atkinson at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
- 1827 Atkinson at the JPL Small-Body Database
