1861_Komenský

1861 Komenský

1861 Komenský

Eoan asteroid

1861 Komenský, provisional designation 1970 WB, is an Eoan asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, estimated to measure approximately 15 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 24 November 1970, by Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek at the Bergedorf Observatory in Hamburg, Germany,[6] and named after John Amos Comenius.[2]

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Orbit and classification

Komenský is a member of the Eos family (606), the largest asteroid family in the outer main belt consisting of nearly 10,000 asteroids.[3][7]: 23  It orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.8–3.2 AU once every 5 years and 3 months (1,918 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.06 and an inclination of 10° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] Komenský's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation, as no precoveries and no previous identifications were made.[6]

Physical characteristics

According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Komenský measures 14.8 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.158.[4] Based on an absolute magnitude of 11.7, and assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25, the asteroid has a generic mean diameter of 12 to 28 kilometers.[5] As of 2016, Komenský's composition, rotation period and shape remain unknown.

Naming

This minor planet was named in honor of Czech educational reformer and theologist, John Amos Comenius (1592–1670), known as Jan Amos Komenský in the original Czech language. He is considered the father of modern education and spend most of his life in exile.[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 20 December 1974 (M.P.C. 3757).[8]

References

  1. [1]
    "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1861 Komensky (1970 WB)" (2016-11-15 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  2. [2]
    Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1861) Komenský". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 149. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1862. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  3. [3]
    "Asteroid 1861 Komensky". Small Bodies Data Ferret. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  4. [4]
    Masiero, Joseph R.; Grav, T.; Mainzer, A. K.; Nugent, C. R.; Bauer, J. M.; Stevenson, R.; et al. (August 2014). "Main-belt Asteroids with WISE/NEOWISE: Near-infrared Albedos". The Astrophysical Journal. 791 (2): 11. arXiv:1406.6645. Bibcode:2014ApJ...791..121M. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/791/2/121. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  5. [5]
    "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS NASA/JPL. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  6. [6]
    "1861 Komensky (1970 WB)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  7. [7]
    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 9780816532131.
  8. [8]
    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.
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