39741 Komm Explained

Minorplanet:yes
39741 Komm
Background:
  1. FA8072
Discovery Ref: 
Discovered:9 January 1997
Mpc Name:(39741) Komm
Named After:Rudolf Komm
Mp Category:Mars crosser 
Orbit Ref: 
Epoch:4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty:0
Observation Arc:20.15 yr (7,358 days)
Perihelion:1.4189 AU
Semimajor:2.1825 AU
Eccentricity:0.3499
Period:3.22 yr (1,178 days)
Mean Motion: / day
Inclination:6.3383°
Asc Node:225.71°
Arg Peri:126.19°
Moid:0.4267 AU
Dimensions:2.15 km
Albedo:0.20
Spectral Type:S 
Abs Magnitude:15.7

39741 Komm (provisional designation ) is a stony asteroid and eccentric Mars-crosser from the innermost regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 2 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 9 January 1997, by American astronomer Roy Tucker at Goodricke-Pigott Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The asteroid was named for American helioseismologist Rudolf Komm.

Orbit and classification

Komm orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.4–2.9 AU once every 3 years and 3 months (1,178 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.35 and an inclination of 6° with respect to the ecliptic. As no precoveries were taken, the asteroid's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation.

Physical characteristics

Rotation and shape

In October 2009, the first and so far only rotational lightcurve of Komm was obtained by French amateur astronomer René Roy. It gave a well-defined rotation period of hours with a high brightness variation of 0.83 magnitude, indicative of a non-spheroidal shape .

Diameter and albedo

The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes a standard albedo for stony asteroids of 0.20 and calculates a diameter of 2.15 kilometers with an absolute magnitude of 15.7.

Naming

This minor planet was named after Rudolf Walter Komm (born 1957), an American helioseismologist, who contributed in the study of solar activity. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 6 August 2003 .

External links