2202 Pele
| Discovery [1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | A. R. Klemola |
| Discovery site | Lick Obs. |
| Discovery date | 7 September 1972 |
| Designations | |
| MPC designation | 2202 Pele |
Named after | Pele (Hawaiian deity)[2] |
| 1972 RA | |
|
NEO · Amor Mars-crosser | |
| Orbital characteristics [1] | |
| Epoch 16 February 2017 (JD 2457800.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
| Observation arc | 42.59 yr (15,555 days) |
| Aphelion | 3.4642 AU |
| Perihelion | 1.1147 AU |
| 2.2894 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.5131 |
| 3.46 yr (1,265 days) | |
| 279.65° | |
| 0° 17m 4.2s / day | |
| Inclination | 8.7454° |
| 169.98° | |
| 217.94° | |
| Earth MOID | 0.1434 AU (60 LD) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 1.5±0.5 km (conversion)[3] |
| 17.2[1] | |
|
| |
2202 Pele, provisional designation 1972 RA, is a small and eccentric asteroid, classified as a near-Earth object, approximately between 1 and 2 kilometers in diameter. It is an Amor asteroid, the second largest subgroup of near-Earth objects, that approach the orbit of Earth from beyond, but does not cross it. Pele was discovered by American astronomer Arnold Klemola at the U.S. Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, California, on 7 September 1972.[4]
Since the asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.1–3.5 AU once every 3 years and 6 months (1,265 days), it crosses the orbit of Mars, which also makes it a Mars-crosser. Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.51 and an inclination of 9° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] For a near-Earth object, it has a relatively large Earth minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) of 0.1463 AU (21,890,000 km), or 60 lunar distances. No precoveries were taken. The asteroid's observation arc starts two days after the official discovery observation.[4]
As of 2017, Pele's effective size, composition, and albedo, as well as its rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1] Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, which assumes an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25, it measures between 1 and 2 kilometers.[3]
The minor planet was named after Pele, the goddess of fire, lightning, and volcanoes from Hawaiian mythology. Pele created the Hawaiian Islands and made Kīlauea her home, after she was forced to go away by her rival sister and goddess of the sea, Nāmaka.[2] Naming citation was published on 1 June 1980 (M.P.C. 5360).[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 2202 Pele (1972 RA)" (2015-04-10 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- 1 2 Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (2202) Pele. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 179. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- 1 2 "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL. Retrieved 2014-06-24.
- 1 2 "2202 Pele (1972 RA)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ↑ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
External links
- Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB), query form (info)
- Dictionary of Minor Planet Names, Google books
- Asteroids and comets rotation curves, CdR – Observatoire de Genève, Raoul Behrend
- Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (1)-(5000) – Minor Planet Center
- 2202 Pele at the JPL Small-Body Database
