4543 Phoinix
4543 Phoinix is a large Jupiter trojan from the Greek camp, approximately 63 kilometers (39 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 2 February 1989, by American astronomer Carolyn Shoemaker at the Palomar Observatory in California.[1] The assumed C-type asteroid is possibly elongated and has a longer-than-average rotation period of 38.9 hours.[4] It is one of the 60 largest Jupiter trojans and was named after Phoenix (Phoinix) from Greek mythology.[1] Orbit and classificationPhoinix is a dark Jovian asteroid orbiting in the leading Greek camp at Jupiter's L4 Lagrangian point, 60° ahead of the Gas Giant's orbit in a 1:1 resonance (see Trojans in astronomy). This asteroid is not a member of any asteroid family but belongs to the Jovian background population.[6][12] It orbits the Sun at a distance of 4.6–5.6 AU once every 11 years and 7 months (4,237 days; semi-major axis of 5.12 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.10 and an inclination of 15° with respect to the ecliptic.[3] The asteroid was first observer as 1930 DN at Heidelberg Observatory in February 1930. The body's observation arc begins with a precovery taken at Palomar in April 1955, nearly 34 years prior to its official discovery observation.[1] Physical characteristicsPhoinix is a generically assumed C-type asteroid. Its V–I color index of 1.20 is the highest of all larger Jovian trojans, which are typically D-types with a V–I index near 0.90 (also see table below).[4] Rotation periodIn November 2011, a rotational lightcurve of Phoinix was obtained from photometric observations by Italian astronomer Albino Carbognani at the OAVdA Observatory (B04), Italy, with follow-up observations conducted at Calar Alto Observatory by Stefano Mottola and Uri Carsenty the following month. Lightcurve analysis gave a rotation period of 38.866 hours with a brightness amplitude of at least 0.34 magnitude (U=2+).[10] While not being a slow rotator, Phoinix has a longer-than average period, especially for a large Jupiter trojan. Its relatively high brightness amplitude is indicative of a non-spherical, elongated shape. Diameter and albedoAccording to the surveys carried out by the Japanese Akari satellite, the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, and the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS, Phoinix measures between 62.79 and 69.54 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo between 0.049 and 0.059.[7][8][9] The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link derives an albedo of 0.0540 and a diameter of 62.73 kilometers based on an absolute magnitude of 9.8.[4]
100+ largest Jupiter trojans
NamingThis minor planet was named by the discoverer from Greek mythology after Phoenix (Phoinix), a wise Greek leader in the Trojan War, who raised Achilles and convinced him to join the campaign.[1] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 28 April 1991 (M.P.C. 18143).[13] References
External links
|