837 Schwarzschilda, provisional designation 1916 AG, is a low-eccentric, well-observed asteroid from the asteroid belt, orbiting the Sun with a period of 3.48 years at a distance of 2.21–2.39 AU. It was discovered by German astronomer Max Wolf at Heidelberg Observatory on 23 September 1916.[1]

837 Schwarzschilda
Lightcurve-modelled shape of Schwarzschilda
Discovery [1]
Discovered byM. F. Wolf
Discovery siteHeidelberg Obs.
Discovery date23 September 1916
Designations
(837) Schwarzschilda
Named after
Karl Schwarzschild[2]
1916 AG · 1951 TB
1965 VJ
main-belt
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 31 July 2016 (JD 2457600.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc92.59 yr (33820 d)
Aphelion2.3926 AU (357.93 Gm)
Perihelion2.2035 AU (329.64 Gm)
2.2981 AU (343.79 Gm)
Eccentricity0.041137
3.48 yr (1272.4 d)
221.45°
0° 16m 58.512s / day
Inclination6.7371°
200.05°
173.33°
Earth MOID1.20264 AU (179.912 Gm)
Jupiter MOID2.75445 AU (412.060 Gm)
TJupiter3.583
Physical characteristics
24 h (1.0 d)
12.3

The main-belt asteroid was named after physicist and astronomer Karl Schwarzschild (1873–1916), who had died earlier that year. He was director of the observatories in Göttingen and Potsdam, known for his work in photometry, geometrical optics, stellar statistics and theoretical astrophysics, most notably for producing the first exact solutions to Einstein's field equations.[2] At the time, it was custom to give feminized names to minor planets.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 837 Schwarzschilda (1916 AG)" (2015-03-16 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  2. ^ a b Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003). "(837) Schwarzschilda". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (837) Schwarzschilda. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 77. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_838. ISBN 978-3-540-29925-7.
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