1218 Aster

1218 Aster, provisional designation 1932 BJ, is a bright asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 5.5 kilometers in diameter. Discovered by Karl Reinmuth in 1932, it was later named after the flowering plant Aster.

1218 Aster
Shape model of Aster from its lightcurve
Discovery[1]
Discovered byK. Reinmuth
Discovery siteHeidelberg Obs.
Discovery date29 January 1932
Designations
(1218) Aster
Pronunciation/ˈæstər/[2]
Named after
Aster (genus of flowers)[3]
1932 BJ · 1978 TJ5
1978 VQ12
main-belt · (inner)
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc85.35 yr (31,173 days)
Aphelion2.5110 AU
Perihelion2.0158 AU
2.2634 AU
Eccentricity0.1094
3.41 yr (1,244 days)
56.714°
0° 17m 21.84s / day
Inclination3.1572°
63.820°
69.372°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions5.554±0.084 km[4]
0.332±0.043[4]
13.2[1]

    Discovery

    Aster was discovered on 29 January 1932, by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth at Heidelberg Observatory in southern Germany.[5] Two nights later, it was independently discovered by Italian astronomer Mario A. Ferrero at the Pino Torinese Observatory at Turin, Italy.[3]

    Classification and orbit

    Aster orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 2.0–2.5 AU once every 3 years and 5 months (1,244 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.11 and an inclination of 3° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

    The asteroid's observation arc begins at the discovering observatory, one week after its official discovery observation.[5]

    Physical characteristics

    Diameter and albedo

    According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Aster measures 5.554 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.332.[4]

    Lightcurves

    As of 2017, rotational lightcurve of Aster has been obtained.[6] The body's rotation period, shape and variation in magnitude shifted from unknown movements[1][7] to specific identifiable spin/shape determinations.

    Naming

    The minor planet was named after the genus of flowers, Aster (also see List of minor planets named after animals and plants § Plants). The official naming citation was mentioned in The Names of the Minor Planets by Paul Herget in 1955 (H 113).[3]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1218 Aster (1932 BJ)" (2017-06-04 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
    2. "aster". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary.
    3. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1218) Aster". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1218) Aster. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 101. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1219. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    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 23 July 2017.
    5. "1218 Aster (1932 BJ)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
    6. Minor Planet Lightcurve Data, Organ Mesa Observatory. "Asteroid Lightcurve Research 1218 Aster Phased Plot". Fred Pilcher's Minor Planet Lightcurves. Astronomical Society of Las Cruces (ASLC). Retrieved 1 June 2018.
    7. "LCDB Data for (1218) Aster". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 23 July 2017.

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