110393 Rammstein
110393 Rammstein (provisional designation 2001 TC8) is a background asteroid from the central region of the asteroid belt, approximately 4 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 11 October 2001, by French astronomer Jean-Claude Merlin at the Le Creusot Observatory in France. The asteroid was named after the German industrial metal band Rammstein.[2]
Orbit and classification
Rammstein is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population.[3] It orbits the Sun in the central asteroid belt at a distance of 2.5–2.9 AU once every 4 years and 6 months (1,630 days; semi-major axis of 2.71 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.09 and an inclination of 12° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]
The body's observation arc begins with its first observation made by LONEOS at Lowell Observatory in September 2001, less than a month prior to its official discovery observation at Le Creusot.[2] A telescope is required to see Rammstein, as its maximum brightness is 1⁄48193 of the brightness of the faintest objects that can be seen with the unaided eye.[5]
Physical characteristics
The asteroid's spectral type is unknown.[1]
Diameter and albedo
Rammstein has not been observed by any of the space-based surveys such as the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS, the Japanese Akari satellite or the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, the asteroid measures 3.0 and 5.5 kilometers in diameter based on an absolute magnitude of 15.0 and a geometric albedo of 0.20 and 0.06, which roughly correspond to a body of carbonaceous and stony composition, respectively (both types are common in the central asteroid belt).[2][4] The Minor Planet Center (MPC) similarly estimates the object's mean diameter to be between 3 and 6 kilometers.[5]
Rotation period
As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of Rammstein has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, shape and poles remain unknown.[1][6]
Naming
This minor planet was named after the German NDH-Metal band Rammstein, which in turn took its name from the city of Ramstein after the tragic 1988 air show disaster at Ramstein Air Base.[2] The official naming citation was published by the MPC on 19 February 2006 (M.P.C. 55989).[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 110393 Rammstein (2001 TC8)" (2017-05-02 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f "110393 Rammstein (2001 TC8)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Asteroid 110393 Rammstein – Proper Elements". AstDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ a b c "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS NASA/JPL. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ a b "110393 Rammstein – Special page". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "LCDB Data for (110393) Rammstein". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
External links
- Further information about the observatory
- 110393 Rammstein at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
- Ephemeris · Observation prediction · Orbital info · Proper elements · Observational info
- 110393 Rammstein at the JPL Small-Body Database
- Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit diagram · Orbital elements · Physical parameters
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