4065 Meinel

4065 Meinel, provisional designation 2820 P-L, is an asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 4 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 24 September 1960, by Dutch astronomer couple Ingrid and Cornelis van Houten on photographic plates taken by Dutch–American astronomer Tom Gehrels at Palomar Observatory, California.[4] The asteroid was named for American astronomer Aden Meinel.[2]

4065 Meinel
Discovery [1]
Discovered byC. J. van Houten
I. van Houten
T. Gehrels
Discovery sitePalomar Obs.
Discovery date24 September 1960
Designations
(4065) Meinel
Named after
Aden Meinel
(American astronomer)[2]
2820 P-L · 1976 JF6
1986 GQ1
main-belt inner
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc63.81 yr (23,306 days)
Aphelion2.4404 AU
Perihelion2.0932 AU
2.2668 AU
Eccentricity0.0766
3.41 yr (1,247 days)
133.39°
0° 17m 19.68s / day
Inclination5.1640°
22.788°
102.54°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions3.873±0.075 km[3]
0.270±0.021[3]
14.1[1]

    Orbit and classification

    The S-type asteroid is a member of the Flora family, one of the largest groups of stony asteroids in the main-belt. It orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 2.1–2.4 AU once every 3 years and 5 months (1,247 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.08 and an inclination of 5° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] A first precovery was taken at the discovering observatory in 1953, extending Meinel's observation arc by 7 years prior to its discovery.[4]

    Physical characteristics

    Rotation period

    According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Meinel measures 3.87 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.270.[3] As of 2016, the asteroid's composition, shape and rotation period remains unknown.[1][5]

    Diameter and albedo

    The survey designation "P-L" stands for Palomar–Leiden, named after Palomar and Leiden Observatory, which collaborated on the fruitful Palomar–Leiden survey in the 1960s. Gehrels used Palomar's Samuel Oschin telescope (also known as the 48-inch Schmidt Telescope), and shipped the photographic plates to Ingrid and Cornelis van Houten at Leiden Observatory where astrometry was carried out. The trio are credited with the discovery of several thousand minor planets.[6]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named in honor of the American physicist and astronomer Aden Meinel (1922–2011).[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 18 February 1992 (M.P.C. 19695).[7]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 4065 Meinel (2820 P-L)" (2017-06-05 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
    2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(4065) Meinel". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (4065) Meinel. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 347. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_4044. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    3. 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. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
    4. "4065 Meinel (2820 P-L)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
    5. "LCDB Data for (4065) Meinel". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved June 19, 2017.
    6. "Minor Planet Discoverers". Minor Planet Center. April 24, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
    7. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
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