24626 Astrowizard

24626 Astrowizard, provisional designation 1980 TS3, is a dark background asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 7 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 9 October 1980, by American astronomer couple Carolyn and Eugene Shoemaker at the Palomar Observatory in California, United States.[2] The asteroid was named for American science educator David Rodrigues, who would perform at public events as "The Astro Wizard".[2]

24626 Astrowizard
Discovery [1]
Discovered byC. S. Shoemaker
E. M. Shoemaker
Discovery sitePalomar Obs.
Discovery date9 October 1980
Designations
(24626) Astrowizard
Named after
David V. Rodrigues [2]
(astronomy communicator)
1980 TS3 · 1998 ML13
2000 AA181
main-belt · (middle)
background [3]
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc37.22 yr (13,594 days)
Aphelion3.5616 AU
Perihelion1.9814 AU
2.7715 AU
Eccentricity0.2851
4.61 yr (1,685 days)
349.96°
0° 12m 48.96s / day
Inclination8.2050°
183.08°
203.27°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
6.528±0.594 km[4]
0.072±0.011[4]
14.2[1]

    Orbit and classification

    Astrowizard is a non-family from the main belt's background population.[3] It orbits the Sun in the central asteroid belt at a distance of 2.0–3.6 AU once every 4 years and 7 months (1,685 days; semi-major axis of 2.77 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.29 and an inclination of 8° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] The body's observation arc begins at the discovering observatory just two nights prior to its official discovery observation.[2]

    Physical characteristics

    Based on its geometric albedo of 0.072,[4] Astrowizard is possibly a carbonaceous C-type asteroid.

    Rotation period

    As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of Astrowizard has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.[1][5]

    Diameter and albedo

    According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Astrowizard measures 6.528 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.072.[4]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named by the discoverers after David V. Rodrigues (born 1952), an American astronomical lecturer at the Morrison Planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. He is known for his educational outreach on astronomy to the public and school children, wearing a wizard costume.

    The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 1 May 2003 (M.P.C. 48396).[6]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 24626 Astrowizard (1980 TS3)" (2017-11-26 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
    2. "24626 Astrowizard (1980 TS3)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
    3. "Asteroid 24626 Astrowizard – Proper Elements". AstDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
    4. Masiero, Joseph R.; Mainzer, A. K.; Grav, T.; Bauer, J. M.; Cutri, R. M.; Dailey, J.; et al. (November 2011). "Main Belt Asteroids with WISE/NEOWISE. I. Preliminary Albedos and Diameters". The Astrophysical Journal. 741 (2): 20. arXiv:1109.4096. Bibcode:2011ApJ...741...68M. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/741/2/68.
    5. "LCDB Data for (24626) Astrowizard". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 31 January 2018.
    6. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 31 January 2018.

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