Astronomy:82 Alkmene

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Short description: Main-belt asteroid
82 Alkmene
82Alkmene (Lightcurve Inversion).png
A three-dimensional model of 82 Alkmene based on its light curve.
Discovery
Discovered byKarl Theodor Robert Luther
Discovery date27 November 1864
Designations
(82) Alkmene
Pronunciation/ælkˈmn/[1]
Named afterAlcmene
Minor planet categoryMain belt
AdjectivesAlkmenean /ælkˈmniən/[2]
Orbital characteristics
Epoch 9 December 2014 (JD 2457000.5)
|{{{apsis}}}|helion}}3.3701 AU
|{{{apsis}}}|helion}}2.1609 AU
2.7655 AU
Eccentricity0.2186
Orbital period4.60 yr
Average Orbital speed17.70 km/s
Mean anomaly192.56°
Inclination2.8286°
Longitude of ascending node25.507°
111.27°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions61±1.5 km (IRAS)[3]
Mass2.4×1017 kg (assumed)
Rotation period12.999 h[3]
Geometric albedo0.208[3]
S[3]
Absolute magnitude (H)8.40[3]


Alkmene (minor planet designation: 82 Alkmene) is a main-belt asteroid. Alkmene was discovered by R. Luther on 7 November 1864 and named after Alcmene, the mother of Herakles in Greek mythology. Based on IRAS data, Alkmene is estimated to be about 61 kilometres (38 mi) in diameter.[3] A satellite has been suggested based on 1985 lightcurve data.[4]

Asteroid Alkmene occulted the apparent magnitude 7.5 star HIP 99229 in the constellation of Capricornus on 18 September 2014 around 06:41 UT (17 September 23:41 PDT) and was centered on Sacramento, CA.[5][6] Alkmene projected an eclipse shadow that moves at about 3.2 km/s (2 mi/s). Asteroid occultations allow for accurate 2-dimensional mapping of an asteroids silhouette when observed by multiple telescopes separated by about 10 km (6.2 mi).

References

  1. 'Alcmene, Alkmene' in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia (1895)
  2. Mairéad McAuley (2015), Reproducing Rome, p. 126; stress determined by verse in George Chapman, Gentleman Usher, Thomas Parrott 1907 ed., p. 220.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 82 Alkmene". https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=82. 
  4. "Other reports of asteroid/TNO companions". http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/astro/asteroidmoonsq.html. 
  5. Interactive GoogleMap of Shadow Path
  6. "(82) Alkmene / HIP 99229 event on 2014 Sep 18, 06:41 UT". http://www.asteroidoccultation.com/2014_09/0918_82_32999.htm. 

External links