914 Palisana, provisional designation 1919 FN, is a Phocaean asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 77 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by German astronomer Max Wolf at Heidelberg Observatory on 4 July 1919.[10]
Description
The carbonaceous asteroid is classified as a CU-type on the Tholen taxonomic scheme. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.9–3.0 AU once every 3 years and 10 months (1,407 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.21 and an inclination of 25° with respect to the ecliptic.[3]
Measurements using the adaptive optics at the W. M. Keck Observatory give a diameter estimate of 76 km. The size ratio between the major and minor axes is 1.16.[4] During 2004, the asteroid was observed occulting a star. The resulting chords were used to determine a diameter estimate of 91.2 km. This is a poor match to the diameter determined by other means.[11]
The minor planet is named after the Austrian astronomer Johann Palisa (1848–1925), who has discovered many asteroids himself between 1874 and 1923.[1]