2905 Plaskett

2905 Plaskett
Discovery [1]
Discovered byE. Bowell
Discovery siteAnderson Mesa Stn.
Discovery date24 January 1982
Designations
(2905) Plaskett
Named after
John Stanley Plaskett
Harry Hemley Plaskett
(Canadian astronomers) [2][3]
1982 BZ2 · 1973 FJ2
1973 FP · 1978 GV3
main-belt · (middle)
Gefion [4]
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc44.60 yr (16,289 days)
Aphelion3.0704 AU
Perihelion2.5395 AU
2.8049 AU
Eccentricity0.0946
4.70 yr (1,716 days)
122.54°
0° 12m 35.28s / day
Inclination8.9005°
9.8462°
220.04°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions10.224±0.145 km[5]
0.273±0.010[5]
SMASS = S [1]
12.0[1]

2905 Plaskett, provisional designation 1982 BZ2, is a stony Gefionian asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 10 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 24 January 1982, by American astronomer Edward Bowell at the Anderson Mesa Station near Flagstaff, Arizona.[6] The asteroid was named after Canadian astronomers John Stanley Plaskett and Harry Hemley Plaskett.[2][3]

Orbit and classification

Plaskett is a member of the Gefion family (516),[4] a large intermediate belt family, named after 1272 Gefion.[7]: 23  It orbits the Sun in the central main-belt at a distance of 2.5–3.1 AU once every 4 years and 8 months (1,716 days; semi-major axis of 2.80 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.09 and an inclination of 9° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

The body's observation arc begins with its first observation as 1973 FP at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in March 1973, almost 9 years prior to its official discovery observation at Anderson Mesa.[6]

Physical characteristics

In the SMASS classification, Plaskett is a stony S-type asteroid,[1] which corresponds to the overall spectral type of Gefionian asteroids.[7]: 23 

Diameter and albedo

According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Plaskett measures 10.224 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.273.[5]

Rotation period

As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Plaskett has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, shape and poles remain unknown.[8]

Naming

This minor planet was named in memory of Canadian astronomer John Stanley Plaskett (1865–1941) and his son Harry Hemley Plaskett (1893–1980).[2][3] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 10 September 1984 (M.P.C. 9081).[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 2905 Plaskett (1982 BZ2)" (2017-10-30 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(2905) Plaskett". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 239. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_2906. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  3. ^ a b c Halliday, I. (February 1985). "Two More Minor Planets Named for Canadian Astronomers". Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. 79 (1): 26. Bibcode:1985JRASC..79...26H. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Asteroid 2905 Plaskett – Nesvorny HCM Asteroid Families V3.0". Small Bodies Data Ferret. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  5. ^ a b c 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 17 November 2017.
  6. ^ a b "2905 Plaskett (1982 BZ2)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  7. ^ a b 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. ^ "LCDB Data for (2905) Plaskett". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  9. ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 17 November 2017.