1779 Paraná

1779 Paraná
Discovery[1]
Discovered byM. Itzigsohn
Discovery siteLa Plata Obs.
Discovery date15 June 1950
Designations
(1779) Paraná
Named after
Paraná River[2]
(South American river)
1950 LZ · 1976 SF8
6116 P-L
main-belt · (inner)
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc66.86 yr (24,422 days)
Aphelion2.5262 AU
Perihelion1.8249 AU
2.1755 AU
Eccentricity0.1612
3.21 yr (1,172 days)
344.02°
0° 18m 25.92s / day
Inclination0.8987°
254.43°
11.493°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions4 km (calculated at 0.25)[3]
4.085±0.223 km[4]
0.221±0.023[4]
14.1[1]

1779 Paraná, provisional designation 1950 LZ, is an asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 4 kilometers in diameter.

The asteroid was discovered on 15 June 1950, by Argentine astronomer Miguel Itzigsohn at the La Plata Astronomical Observatory in La Plata, capital of the province of Buenos Aires.[5] It was named for the Paraná River in South America.[2]

Orbit and classification

Paraná orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.8–2.5 AU once every 3 years and 3 months (1,172 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.16 and an inclination of 1° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

As no precoveries were taken, and no prior identifications were made, Paraná's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation in 1950.[5] Paraná has also been cataloged by the Palomar–Leiden survey and received the survey designation 6116 P-L (PLS6116).[1][5]

Physical characteristics

Diameter and albedo

According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Paraná measures 4.09 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.221.[4] Based on a magnitude-to-diameter conversion, using an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25 and a magnitude of 14.1, the asteroid's generic diameter is between 4 and 9 kilometers.[3]

Rotation period

As of 2017, Paraná's spectral type, rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1][6]

Naming

This minor planet was named for a large and 4,880-kilometers long Paraná River that runs through northern Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. It is a major tributary to the La Plata river, where the city of La Plata and the discovering observatory are located (also see 1029 La Plata).[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 8 April 1982 (M.P.C. 6832).[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1779 Parana (1950 LZ)" (2017-04-26 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1779) Paraná". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1779) Paraná. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 142. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1780. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  3. ^ a b "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL. Archived from the original on 2 March 2001. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  4. ^ a b c 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 19 December 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "1779 Parana (1950 LZ)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  6. ^ "LCDB Data for (1779) Paraná". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  7. ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 19 December 2016.