4276 Clifford

4276 Clifford, provisional designation1981 XA is an asteroid and sizable Mars-crosser from the innermost region of the asteroid belt, approximately 4.4 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 2 December 1981, by American astronomers Edward Bowell at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, United States. The asteroid was named in honor of astronomer and writer Clifford Cunningham.[3]

4276 Clifford
Discovery [1]
Discovered byE. Bowell
Discovery siteLowell Obs.
Discovery date2 December 1981
Designations
(4276) Clifford
Named after
Clifford Cunningham (Canadian astronomer)[2]
1981 XA
Mars-crosser [1][3] · main belt
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc35.67 yr (13,027 days)
Aphelion2.4195 AU
Perihelion1.5994 AU
2.0095 AU
Eccentricity0.2041
2.85 yr (1,040 days)
186.63°
0° 20m 45.6s / day
Inclination21.033°
76.881°
3.5494°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions4.441±1.128 km[4]
0.142±0.107[4]
SMASS = Cb [1]
14.6[1]

    Orbit and classification

    Clifford is a member of the group of main-belt asteroids known as Mars-crosser asteroids, specifically, it is listed as an Outer-grazer. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.6–2.4 AU once every 2 years and 10 months (1,040 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.20 and an inclination of 21° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

    Physical characteristics

    In the SMASS classification, Clifford is a Cb-type, which transitions from the carbonaceous C-type asteroids to the rare B-type asteroids.[1]

    According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Clifford measures 4.441 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.142.[4] As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve has been obtained of Clifford. Its rotation period and shape remain unknown.[5]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named after Canadian astronomer and author Clifford Cunningham, who is best known for his 1988 published book Introduction to Asteroids and 5-volume history of asteroid studies published by Springer in 2016 and 2017. He received his PhD in the history of astronomy in 2015. His astronomical work includes astrometry and photometry of minor planets.[2] The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 10 April 1990 (M.P.C. 16248).[6]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 4276 Clifford (1981 XA)" (2017-06-05 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
    2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(4276) Clifford". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (4276) Clifford. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 366. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_4236. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    3. "4276 Clifford (1981 XA)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
    4. Nugent, C. R.; Mainzer, A.; Masiero, J.; Bauer, J.; Cutri, R. M.; Grav, T.; et al. (December 2015). "NEOWISE Reactivation Mission Year One: Preliminary Asteroid Diameters and Albedos". The Astrophysical Journal. 814 (2): 13. arXiv:1509.02522. Bibcode:2015ApJ...814..117N. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/814/2/117. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
    5. "LCDB Data for (4276) Clifford". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 15 June 2017.
    6. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 15 June 2017.

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