1404 Ajax

1404 Ajax /ˈæks/ is a carbonaceous Jupiter trojan from the Greek camp, approximately 83 kilometers (52 miles) kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 17 August 1936, by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth at Heidelberg Observatory in southern Germany, and named after the legendary warrior Ajax from Greek mythology.[1] The assumed C-type asteroid belongs to the 40 largest Jupiter trojans and has a longer than average rotation period of 29.4 hours.[5]

1404 Ajax
Modelled shape of Ajax from its lightcurve
Discovery[1]
Discovered byK. Reinmuth
Discovery siteHeidelberg Obs.
Discovery date17 August 1936
Designations
(1404) Ajax
Pronunciation/ˈæks/[2]
Named after
Ajax (Greek mythology)[3]
1936 QW
Jupiter trojan[1][4][5]
Greek[6][7] · background[7]
AdjectivesAjantian /əˈæntiən/
Orbital characteristics[4]
Epoch 23 March 2018 (JD 2458200.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc81.76 yr (29,864 d)
Aphelion5.9044 AU
Perihelion4.6992 AU
5.3018 AU
Eccentricity0.1137
12.21 yr (4,459 d)
247.16°
0° 4m 50.52s / day
Inclination18.005°
332.92°
59.772°
Jupiter MOID0.0433 AU
TJupiter2.8890
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
81.43 km (derived)[5]
81.69±3.2 km[8]
83.99±1.28 km[9]
96.34±2.25 km[10]
28.4 h[11]
29.38±0.01 h[12]
34 h[13]
0.048±0.009[9]
0.050±0.003[10]
0.0508 (derived)[5]
0.0665±0.005[8]
C (assumed)[5]
V–I = 0.960±0.032[5]
9.00[8][10]
9.3[1][4][5][9]
9.87±0.47[14]

    Orbit and classification

    Ajax is a C-type asteroid, that orbits in the leading Greek camp at Jupiter's L4 Lagrangian point, 60° ahead of its orbit (see Trojans in astronomy). It is also a non-family asteroid in the Jovian background population.[7][15] Jupiter trojans are thought to have been captured into their orbits during or shortly after the early stages of the formation of the Solar System. More than 4,500 Jupiter trojans in the Greek camp and 7,000 in total have been discovered.[6]

    It orbits the Sun at a distance of 4.7–5.9 AU once every 12 years and 3 months (4,459 days; semi-major axis of 5.3 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.11 and an inclination of 18° with respect to the ecliptic.[4] The body's observation arc begins at Heidelberg 6 days after its official discovery observations in August 1936.[1]

    Physical characteristics

    Ajax is an assumed, carbonaceous C-type asteroid, while its V–I color index of 0.96 agrees with most D-type asteroids, which is the dominant spectral type among the large Jupiter trojans.[5]

    Rotation period

    In December 2010, a rotational lightcurve of Ajax was obtained from photometric observations taken by Robert Stephens at the Goat Mountain Astronomical Research Station (G79) in California. Lightcurve analysis gave a rotation period of 29.38 hours with a brightness variation of 0.30 magnitude (U=3-),[12] superseding fragmentary photometric measurements by Richard P. Binzel (1988), and by Roberto Crippa and Federico Manzini (2009) at the Sozzago Astronomical Station (A12), which gave a period of 28.4 and 34 hours, respectively (U=1/2-).[5][11][13]

    Diameter and albedo

    According to the surveys carried out by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS, the Japanese Akari satellite and the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Ajax measures between 81.69 and 96.34 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo between 0.048 and 0.0665.[8][9][10] The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link derives an albedo of 0.0508 and a diameter of 81.43 kilometers based on an absolute magnitude of 9.3.[5]

    100+ largest Jupiter trojans
    Largest Jupiter Trojans by survey(A)
    (mean-diameter in kilometers; YoD: Year of Discovery)
    Designation H WISE IRAS Akari Ln RP V–I YoD Ref
    624 Hektor7.2225233230.99L46.920.9301907list
    617 Patroclus8.19140.362140.92140.85L5102.800.8301906list
    911 Agamemnon7.89131.038166.66185.30L46.590.9801919list
    588 Achilles8.67130.099135.47133.22L47.310.9401906list
    3451 Mentor8.4126.288116.30117.91L57.700.7701984list
    3317 Paris8.3118.790116.26120.45L57.090.9501984list
    1867 Deiphobus8.3118.220122.67131.31L558.660.9301971list
    1172 Äneas8.33118.020142.82148.66L58.710.9501930list
    1437 Diomedes8.3117.786164.31172.60L424.490.8101937list
    1143 Odysseus7.93114.624125.64130.81L410.110.8601930list
    2241 Alcathous8.64113.682114.63118.87L57.690.9401979list
    659 Nestor8.99112.320108.87107.06L415.980.7901908list
    3793 Leonteus8.7112.04686.2687.58L45.620.7801985list
    3063 Makhaon8.4111.655116.14114.34L48.640.8301983list
    1583 Antilochus8.6108.842101.62111.69L431.540.9501950list
    884 Priamus8.81101.09396.29119.99L56.860.9001917list
    1208 Troilus8.99100.477103.34111.36L556.170.7401931list
    1173 Anchises8.8999.549126.27120.49L511.600.7801930list
    2207 Antenor8.8997.65885.1191.32L57.970.9501977list
    2363 Cebriones9.1195.97681.8484.61L520.050.9101977list
    4063 Euforbo8.795.619102.46106.38L48.850.9501989list
    2357 Phereclos8.9494.62594.9098.45L514.390.9601981list
    4709 Ennomos8.591.43380.8580.03L512.280.6901988list
    2797 Teucer8.789.430111.14113.99L410.150.9201981list
    2920 Automedon8.888.574111.01113.11L410.210.9501981list
    15436 Dexius9.187.64685.7178.63L48.970.8701998list
    3596 Meriones9.287.38075.0973.28L412.960.8301985list
    2893 Peiroos9.2386.88487.4686.76L58.960.9501975list
    4086 Podalirius9.185.49586.8985.98L410.430.8701985list
    4060 Deipylos9.384.04379.2186.79L49.300.7601987list
    1404 Ajax9.383.99081.6996.34L429.380.9601936list
    4348 Poulydamas9.582.03270.0887.51L59.910.8401988list
    5144 Achates9.080.95891.9189.85L55.960.9201991list
    4833 Meges8.980.16587.3389.39L414.250.9401989list
    2223 Sarpedon9.4177.48094.63108.21L522.740.8801977list
    4489 Dracius9.076.59592.9395.02L412.580.9501988list
    2260 Neoptolemus9.3176.43571.6581.28L48.180.9501975list
    5254 Ulysses9.276.14778.3480.00L428.720.9701986list
    3708 Socus9.375.66179.5976.75L56.550.9801974list
    2674 Pandarus9.174.26798.10101.72L58.481.0001982list
    3564 Talthybius9.473.73068.9274.11L440.590.9001985list
    4834 Thoas9.172.33186.8296.21L418.190.9501989list
    7641 Cteatus9.471.83968.9775.28L427.770.9801986list
    3540 Protesilaos9.370.22576.8487.66L48.950.9401973list
    11395 Iphinous9.868.97764.7167.78L417.381998list
    4035 Thestor9.668.73368.2366.99L413.470.9701986list
    5264 Telephus9.468.47273.2681.38L49.530.9701991list
    1868 Thersites9.568.16370.0878.89L410.480.9601960list
    9799 Thronium9.668.03364.8772.42L421.520.9101996list
    4068 Menestheus9.567.62562.3768.46L414.400.9501973list
    23135 Pheidas9.966.23058.2968.50L48.690.8602000list
    2456 Palamedes9.365.91691.6699.60L47.240.9201966list
    3709 Polypoites9.165.29799.0985.23L410.041.0001985list
    1749 Telamon9.564.89881.0669.14L416.980.9701949list
    3548 Eurybates9.663.88572.1468.40L48.710.7301973list
    4543 Phoinix9.763.83662.7969.54L438.871.2001989list
    12444 Prothoon9.863.83564.3162.41L515.821996list
    4836 Medon9.563.27767.7378.70L49.820.9201989list
    16070 Charops9.763.19164.1368.98L520.240.9601999list
    15440 Eioneus9.662.51966.4871.88L421.430.9701998list
    4715 Medesicaste9.762.09763.9165.93L58.810.8501989list
    34746 Thoon9.861.68460.5163.63L519.630.9502001list
    38050 Bias9.861.60361.0450.44L418.850.9901998list
    5130 Ilioneus9.760.71159.4052.49L514.770.9601989list
    5027 Androgeos9.659.78657.86n.a.L411.380.9101988list
    6090 Aulis9.459.56874.5381.92L418.480.9801989list
    5648 Axius9.759.29563.91n.a.L537.560.9001990list
    7119 Hiera9.759.15076.4077.29L44000.9501989list
    4805 Asteropaios10.057.64753.1643.44L512.371990list
    16974 Iphthime9.857.34155.4357.15L478.90.9601998list
    4867 Polites9.857.25158.2964.29L511.241.0101989list
    2895 Memnon10.056.70655.67n.a.L57.500.7101981list
    4708 Polydoros9.954.96455.67n.a.L57.520.9601988list
    (21601) 1998 XO8910.054.90955.6756.08L412.650.9701998list
    12929 Periboea9.954.07761.0455.34L59.270.8801999list
    17492 Hippasos10.053.97555.67n.a.L517.751991list
    5652 Amphimachus10.153.92153.1652.48L48.371.0501992list
    2759 Idomeneus9.953.67661.0152.55L432.380.9101980list
    5258 Rhoeo10.253.27550.77n.a.L419.851.0101989list
    (12126) 1999 RM1110.153.202n.a.n.a.L5n.a. ?1999list
    (15502) 1999 NV2710.053.10055.6750.86L515.130.8751999list
    4754 Panthoos10.053.02553.1556.96L527.681977list
    4832 Palinurus10.052.05853.16n.a.L55.321.0001988list
    5126 Achaemenides10.551.92244.2248.57L453.021989list
    3240 Laocoon10.251.69550.77n.a.L511.310.8801978list
    4902 Thessandrus9.851.26361.0471.79L47380.9601989list
    11552 Boucolion10.151.13653.1653.91L532.441993list
    (20729) 1999 XS14310.450.96146.30n.a.L45.721.0001999list
    6545 Leitus10.150.95153.16n.a.L416.260.9101986list
    4792 Lykaon10.150.87053.16n.a.L540.090.9601988list
    21900 Orus10.050.81055.6753.87L413.450.9501999list
    1873 Agenor10.150.79953.7654.38L520.601971list
    5028 Halaesus10.250.77050.77n.a.L424.940.9001988list
    2146 Stentor9.950.75558.29n.a.L416.401976list
    4722 Agelaos10.050.37853.1659.47L518.440.9101977list
    5284 Orsilocus10.150.15953.16n.a.L410.310.9701989list
    11509 Thersilochos10.149.96053.1656.23L517.371990list
    5285 Krethon10.149.60658.5352.61L412.041.0901989list
    4791 Iphidamas10.149.52857.8559.96L59.701.0301988list
    9023 Mnesthus10.149.15150.7760.80L530.661988list
    5283 Pyrrhus9.748.35664.5869.93L47.320.9501989list
    4946 Askalaphus10.248.20952.7166.10L422.730.9401988list
    (22149) 2000 WD4910.248.19050.7750.37L47.841.0902000list
    (32496) 2000 WX18210.248.01750.7751.63L523.340.9502000list
    5120 Bitias10.247.98750.77n.a.L515.210.7801988list
    12714 Alkimos10.147.81961.0454.62L428.481991list
    7352 Hypsenor9.947.73155.67 47.07L56480.8501994list
    1870 Glaukos10.647.64942.23n.a.L55.991971list
    4138 Kalchas10.146.46253.1661.04L429.20.8101973list
    (23958) 1998 VD3010.246.00150.7747.91L45620.9901998list
    4828 Misenus10.445.95446.30 43.22L512.870.9201988list
    4057 Demophon10.145.68353.16n.a.L429.821.0601985list
    4501 Eurypylos10.445.52446.30n.a.L46.051989list
    4007 Euryalos10.345.51548.4853.89L46.391973list
    5259 Epeigeus10.344.74142.5944.42L418.421989list
    30705 Idaios10.444.54646.30n.a.L515.741977list
    16560 Daitor10.743.86151.4243.38L51991list
    (15977) 1998 MA1110.443.53046.3051.53L52500.9061998list
    7543 Prylis10.642.89342.23n.a.L417.801973list
    4827 Dares10.542.77044.22n.a.L519.001988list
    1647 Menelaus10.542.71644.22n.a.L417.740.8661957list
    (A) Used sources: WISE/NEOWISE catalog (NEOWISE_DIAM_V1 PDS, Grav, 2012); IRAS data (SIMPS v.6 catalog); and Akari catalog (Usui, 2011); RP: rotation period and V–I (color index) taken from the LCDB

    Note: missing data was completed with figures from the JPL SBDB (query) and from the LCDB (query form) for the WISE/NEOWISE and SIMPS catalogs, respectively. These figures are given in italics. Also, listing is incomplete above #100.

    Naming

    This minor planet was named for Ajax the Great, a Greek warrior of great strength and courage in the Trojan War. He is the half brother of Teucer and son of king Telamon, who kills himself because Achilles' armor was awarded to Odysseus. The Jupiter trojans 588 Achilles, 1143 Odysseus and 1749 Telamon and 2797 Teucer are all named after these figures from Greek mythology.[3] The official naming of Ajax was first cited in The Names of the Minor Planets by Paul Herget in 1955 (H 127).[3]

    References

    1. "1404 Ajax (1936 QW)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
    2. 'Polydamas' in Noah Webster (1884) A Practical Dictionary of the English Language
    3. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1404) Ajax". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 113. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1405. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    4. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1404 Ajax (1936 QW)" (2018-05-23 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
    5. "LCDB Data for (1404) Ajax". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 13 June 2018.
    6. "List of Jupiter Trojans". Minor Planet Center. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
    7. "Asteroid (1404) Ajax – Proper elements". AstDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
    8. Tedesco, E. F.; Noah, P. V.; Noah, M.; Price, S. D. (October 2004). "IRAS Minor Planet Survey V6.0". NASA Planetary Data System – IRAS-A-FPA-3-RDR-IMPS-V6.0: IRAS-A-FPA-3-RDR-IMPS-V6.0. Bibcode:2004PDSS...12.....T. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
    9. Grav, T.; Mainzer, A. K.; Bauer, J. M.; Masiero, J. R.; Nugent, C. R. (November 2012). "WISE/NEOWISE Observations of the Jovian Trojan Population: Taxonomy". The Astrophysical Journal. 759 (1): 10. arXiv:1209.1549. Bibcode:2012ApJ...759...49G. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/759/1/49. S2CID 119101711. (online catalog)
    10. Usui, Fumihiko; Kuroda, Daisuke; Müller, Thomas G.; Hasegawa, Sunao; Ishiguro, Masateru; Ootsubo, Takafumi; et al. (October 2011). "Asteroid Catalog Using Akari: AKARI/IRC Mid-Infrared Asteroid Survey". Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan. 63 (5): 1117–1138. Bibcode:2011PASJ...63.1117U. doi:10.1093/pasj/63.5.1117. (online, AcuA catalog p. 153)
    11. Binzel, Richard P.; Sauter, Linda M. (February 1992). "Trojan, Hilda, and Cybele asteroids – New lightcurve observations and analysis". Icarus. 95 (2): 222–238. Bibcode:1992Icar...95..222B. doi:10.1016/0019-1035(92)90039-A. ISSN 0019-1035. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
    12. French, Linda M.; Stephens, Robert D.; Lederer, Susan M.; Coley, Daniel R.; Rohl, Derrick A. (April 2011). "Preliminary Results from a Study of Trojan Asteroids". The Minor Planet Bulletin. 38 (2): 116–120. Bibcode:2011MPBu...38..116F. ISSN 1052-8091. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
    13. Behrend, Raoul. "Asteroids and comets rotation curves – (1404) Ajax". Geneva Observatory. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
    14. Veres, Peter; Jedicke, Robert; Fitzsimmons, Alan; Denneau, Larry; Granvik, Mikael; Bolin, Bryce; et al. (November 2015). "Absolute magnitudes and slope parameters for 250,000 asteroids observed by Pan-STARRS PS1 – Preliminary results". Icarus. 261: 34–47. arXiv:1506.00762. Bibcode:2015Icar..261...34V. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2015.08.007. S2CID 53493339.
    15. "Asteroid 1404 Ajax". Small Bodies Data Ferret. Retrieved 13 June 2018.

    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.