110393 Rammstein
110393 Rammstein, provisional designation 2001 TC8, is a background asteroid from the central region of the asteroid belt, approximately 4 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 11 October 2001, by French astronomer Jean-Claude Merlin at the Le Creusot Observatory in France. The asteroid was named after the German industrial metal band Rammstein.[2]
Discovery[1][2] | |
---|---|
Discovered by | J.-C. Merlin |
Discovery site | Le Creusot Obs. |
Discovery date | 11 October 2001 |
Designations | |
(110393) Rammstein | |
Named after | Rammstein[2] (hard rock-metal band) |
2001 TC8 | |
main-belt · (middle) background[3] | |
Orbital characteristics[1] | |
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5) | |
Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
Observation arc | 15.62 yr (5,704 days) |
Aphelion | 2.9427 AU |
Perihelion | 2.4774 AU |
2.7101 AU | |
Eccentricity | 0.0859 |
4.46 yr (1,630 days) | |
167.18° | |
0° 13m 15.24s / day | |
Inclination | 12.164° |
217.13° | |
222.53° | |
Physical characteristics | |
Mean diameter | 3.0 km (est. at 0.20)[4] 5.5 km (est. at 0.06)[4] |
15.0[1] | |
Orbit and classification
Rammstein is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population.[3] It orbits the Sun in the central asteroid belt at a distance of 2.5–2.9 AU once every 4 years and 6 months (1,630 days; semi-major axis of 2.71 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.09 and an inclination of 12° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]
The body's observation arc begins with its first observation made by LONEOS at Lowell Observatory in September 2001, less than a month prior to its official discovery observation at Le Creusot.[2] A telescope is required to see Rammstein, as its maximum brightness is 1⁄48193 of the brightness of the faintest objects that can be seen with the unaided eye.[5]
Physical characteristics
The asteroid's spectral type is unknown.[1]
Diameter and albedo
Rammstein has not been observed by any of the space-based surveys such as the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS, the Japanese Akari satellite or the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, the asteroid measures 3.0 and 5.5 kilometers in diameter based on an absolute magnitude of 15.0 and a geometric albedo of 0.20 and 0.06, which roughly correspond to a body of carbonaceous and stony composition, respectively (both types are common in the central asteroid belt).[2][4] The Minor Planet Center (MPC) similarly estimates the object's mean-diameter to be between 3 and 6 kilometers.[5]
Rotation period
As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of Rammstein has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, shape and poles remain unknown.[1][6]
Naming
This minor planet was named after the German NDH-Metal band Rammstein, which in turn took its name from the city of Ramstein after the tragic 1988 air show disaster at Ramstein Air Base (also see Ramstein air show disaster).[2] The official naming citation was published by the MPC on 19 February 2006 (M.P.C. 55989).[7]
References
- "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 110393 Rammstein (2001 TC8)" (2017-05-02 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- "110393 Rammstein (2001 TC8)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- "Asteroid 110393 Rammstein – Proper Elements". AstDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS NASA/JPL. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- "110393 Rammstein – Special page". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- "LCDB Data for (110393) Rammstein". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
External links
- Further information about the observatory
- 110393 Rammstein at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
- 110393 Rammstein at the JPL Small-Body Database