1721 Wells

1721 Wells, provisional designation 1953 TD3, is a dark asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 44 kilometers in diameter.

1721 Wells
Discovery [1]
Discovered byIndiana University
(Indiana Asteroid Program)
Discovery siteGoethe Link Obs.
Discovery date3 October 1953
Designations
(1721) Wells
Named after
Herman Wells
(Indiana University) [2]
1953 TD3 · 1944 DA
1958 QE · A905 CG
main-belt · (outer)
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc112.13 yr (40,957 days)
Aphelion3.2969 AU
Perihelion3.0049 AU
3.1509 AU
Eccentricity0.0463
5.59 yr (2,043 days)
101.64°
Inclination16.107°
317.29°
137.52°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions43.576±0.166 km[3]
0.045±0.005[3]
10.9[1]

    It was discovered on 3 October 1953, by IU's Indiana Asteroid Program at Goethe Link Observatory near Brooklyn, Indiana, United States.[4] It was named after UI's president and chancellor Herman B Wells.[2]

    Orbit and classification

    Wells orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 3.0–3.3 AU once every 5 years and 7 months (2,043 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.05 and an inclination of 16° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

    First identified as A905 CG at Heidelberg in 1905, Well's first used observation was taken at Turku in 1944, extending the asteroid's observation arc by 9 years prior to its official discovery observation.[4]

    Physical characteristics

    According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Wells measures 43.576 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.045.[3] It has an absolute magnitude of 10.9.[1] As of 2017, Well's spectral type, rotation period and shape remain unknown.

    Naming

    This minor planet was named in honor of Herman B Wells (1902–2000), chancellor and president and of Indiana University, who has transformed Indiana University from a provincial college into a world-renowned institution of higher learning. During this time, Wells also fostered higher education nationally and internationally.[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 15 June 1973 (M.P.C. 3508).[5]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1721 Wells (1953 TD3)" (2017-03-30 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
    2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1721) Wells". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1721) Wells. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 137. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1722. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    3. 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 22 December 2016.
    4. "1721 Wells (1953 TD3)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
    5. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2009). "Appendix – Publication Dates of the MPCs". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – Addendum to Fifth Edition (2006–2008). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 221. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-01965-4. ISBN 978-3-642-01964-7.

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