1931 Čapek

1931 Čapek, provisional designation 1969 QB, is a background asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 7 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 22 August 1969, by Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek at the Bergedorf Observatory in Hamburg, Germany.[4] The asteroid was named in memory of Czech writer Karel Čapek.[2]

1931 Čapek
Discovery[1]
Discovered byL. Kohoutek
Discovery siteBergedorf Obs.
Discovery date22 August 1969
Designations
(1931) Čapek
Named after
Karel Čapek[2]
(Czech writer)[2]
1969 QB · 1957 TK
1969 PB
main-belt · (middle)
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc59.76 yr (21,826 days)
Aphelion3.2311 AU
Perihelion1.8513 AU
2.5412 AU
Eccentricity0.2715
4.05 yr (1,480 days)
297.94°
0° 14m 35.88s / day
Inclination8.2623°
182.43°
164.55°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions6.628±0.214 km[3]
0.254±0.035[3]
Tholen = C[1]
13.0[1]

    Orbit and classification

    Čapek is a background asteroid, not associated to any known asteroid family. It orbits the Sun in the inner part of the central main-belt near the 3:1 resonance with Jupiter at a distance of 1.9–3.2 AU once every 4 years and 1 month (1,480 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.27 and an inclination of 8° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

    The asteroid was first identified as 1957 TK at Goethe Link Observatory in October 1957. The body's observation arc begins at Crimea–Nauchnij, eleven days prior to its official discovery observation at Bergedorf.[4]

    Physical characteristics

    Spectral type

    In the Tholen classification, Čapek is a common carbonaceous C-type asteroid.[1] This strongly disagrees with the albedo obtained by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), which indicates that Čapek is a stony S-type asteroid rather than a carbonaceous one.[3]

    Rotation period

    As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Čapek has been obtained from photometric observations. The asteroid's rotation period, shape and poles remain unknown.[1][5]

    Diameter and albedo

    According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Čapek measures 6.628 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.254.[3]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named in memory of Karel Čapek (1890–1938), Czech dramatist and novelist, best known for his allegorical plays R.U.R. and Krakatit, in which he anticipated both, the destructive potential of nuclear physics and their moral implications.[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 27 June 1991 (M.P.C. 18447).[6]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1931 Capek (1969 QB)" (2017-07-05 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
    2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1931) Čapek". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1931) Čapek. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 155. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1932. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    3. Masiero, Joseph R.; Mainzer, A. K.; Grav, T.; Bauer, J. M.; Cutri, R. M.; Nugent, C.; et al. (November 2012). "Preliminary Analysis of WISE/NEOWISE 3-Band Cryogenic and Post-cryogenic Observations of Main Belt Asteroids". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 759 (1): 5. arXiv:1209.5794. Bibcode:2012ApJ...759L...8M. doi:10.1088/2041-8205/759/1/L8. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
    4. "1931 Capek (1969 QB)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
    5. "LCDB Data for (1931) Čapek". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 5 September 2017.
    6. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 5 September 2017.

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