2578 Saint-Exupéry, provisional designation 1975 VW3, is an Eoan asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 17 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by Russian astronomer Tamara Smirnova at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Nauchnyj on 2 November 1975, and named after French aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.[2][6]
| Discovery [1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | T. Smirnova |
| Discovery site | Crimean Astrophysical Obs. |
| Discovery date | 2 November 1975 |
| Designations | |
| (2578) Saint-Exupéry | |
Named after | Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (French writer)[2] |
| 1975 VW3 · 1952 HG2 1980 TA1 | |
| main-belt · (outer) Eos [3] | |
| Orbital characteristics [1] | |
| Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
| Observation arc | 64.61 yr (23,599 days) |
| Aphelion | 3.2935 AU |
| Perihelion | 2.7101 AU |
| 3.0018 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.0972 |
| 5.20 yr (1,900 days) | |
| 17.255° | |
| 0° 11m 22.2s / day | |
| Inclination | 10.571° |
| 55.704° | |
| 336.25° | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 17.014±0.485[4] 22±9 km (calculated)[5] |
| 0.168±0.039[4] | |
| 11.5[1] | |
Classification and orbit
editSaint-Exupéry is a member the Eos family (606),[3] the largest asteroid family of the outer main belt consisting of nearly 10,000 known members.[7]: 23 The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.7–3.3 AU once every 5 years and 2 months (1,900 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.10 and an inclination of 11° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]
The asteroid's was first identified as 1952 HG2 at McDonald Observatory in Texas. One month later, it was also observed at the Palomar Observatory in May 1952. Its observation arc begins by 23 years prior to its official discovery observation at Nauchnyj.[6]
Physical characteristics
editAccording to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Saint-Exupéry measures 17.0 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.168.[4] Based on its absolute magnitude of 11.5, its generic diameter is between 13 and 30 kilometers, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25.[5]
As of 2017, Saint-Exupéry's effective composition, rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1][8]
Naming
editThe minor planet was named in honour of French aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900–1944). The name also alludes to Saint-Exupéry's best-known character, The Little Prince, who lives on an asteroid.[2]
In the book, the prince's asteroid also has a unique code: B612 (which does not match this minor planet's provisional designation). However, there is another asteroid called 46610 Bésixdouze, which is French for "B-six-twelve" (B612 in hexadecimal notation equals 46610).
The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 11 July 1987 (M.P.C. 12012).[9]
See also
edit- 5540 Smirnova
- Petit-Prince (moon), asteroid moon of 45 Eugenia
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 2578 Saint-Exupery (1975 VW3)" (2017-01-02 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(2578) Saint-Exupéry". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 210. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_2579. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
- ^ a b "Asteroid 2578 Saint-Exupery – Nesvorny HCM Asteroid Families V3.0". Small Bodies Data Ferret. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ^ 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 6 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL. Archived from the original on 2 March 2001. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ a b "2578 Saint-Exupery (1975 VW3)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- ^ Nesvorný, D.; Broz, M.; Carruba, V. (December 2014). "Identification and Dynamical Properties of Asteroid Families". Asteroids IV. pp. 297–321. arXiv:1502.01628. Bibcode:2015aste.book..297N. doi:10.2458/azu_uapress_9780816532131-ch016. ISBN 978-0-8165-3213-1.
- ^ "LCDB Data for (2578) Saint-Exupéry". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
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
- 2578 Saint-Exupéry at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
- 2578 Saint-Exupéry at the JPL Small-Body Database
