2578 Saint-Exupéry

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2578 Saint-Exupéry
Discovery 
Perihelion
2.7101 AU
3.0018 AU
Eccentricity0.0972
5.20 yr (1,900 days)
17.255°
0° 11m 22.2s / day
Inclination10.571°
55.704°
336.25°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions17.014±0.485[4]
22±9 km (calculated)[5]
0.168±0.039[4]
11.5[1]

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]

Classification and orbit

Saint-Exupéry is a member the

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

According to the survey carried out by NASA's

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

The 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

M.P.C. 12012).[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3
    .
  3. ^ a b "Asteroid 2578 Saint-Exupery – Nesvorny HCM Asteroid Families V3.0". Small Bodies Data Ferret. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  4. ^
    doi:10.1088/0004-637X/741/2/68
    . Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL. Archived from the original on 2 March 2001. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  6. ^ a b "2578 Saint-Exupery (1975 VW3)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  7. ISBN 978-0-8165-3213-1
    .
  8. ^ "LCDB Data for (2578) Saint-Exupéry". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  9. ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 6 December 2016.

External links

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