4525 Johnbauer, provisional designation 1982 JB3, is dark Mitidika asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 10 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 15 May 1982, by astronomer couple Eleanor and Eugene Shoemaker, as well as Peter Wilder at the Palomar Observatory in California, United States. The asteroid was named after John Bauer, physics teacher at San Diego City College.[2]
It orbits the Sun in the central main-belt at a distance of 2.1–3.1 AU once every 4 years and 2 months (1,507 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.20 and an inclination of 14° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]
The asteroid was first identified as 1951 YF at the McDonald Observatory in December 1951. The body's observation arc begins more than 26 years prior to its official discovery observation, with a precovery taken at Palomar in November 1955.[2]
Physical characteristics
Rotation period
As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Johnbauer has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, spin axis and shape remains unknown.[1][6]
This minor planet was named in memory of John Bauer (1932–2002), a long-time teacher of astronomy and physics at San Diego City College in San Diego, California, who over the course of forty years (1962-2002), inspired hundreds of students to pursue professional and academic careers in astronomy and physics. The name was suggested by N. Butler. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 13 April 2006 (M.P.C. 56611).[7]
^ abcMasiero, 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.
