51827 Laurelclark
Discovery [1]
Discovered byNEAT
Discovery sitePalomar Obs.
Discovery date20 July 2001
Designations
(51827) Laurelclark
Named after
Laurel Clark [2]
(American astronaut)
2001 OH38 · 1999 GH23
main-belt · (outer)
background [3]
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc26.09 yr (9,529 days)
Aphelion3.4741 AU
Perihelion2.5885 AU
3.0313 AU
Eccentricity0.1461
5.28 yr (1,928 days)
239.89°
0° 11m 12.48s / day
Inclination10.234°
10.644°
92.486°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions6.005±0.489 km[4]
0.162±0.016[4]
14.1[1]

    51827 Laurelclark, provisional designation 2001 OH38, is a background asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 6 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 20 July 2001, by astronomers of the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking program at Palomar Observatory in California, United States. The asteroid was named for astronaut Laurel Clark, who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.[5]

    Orbit and classification

    Laurelclark is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population.[3] It orbits the Sun in the outer asteroid belt at a distance of 2.6–3.5 AU once every 5 years and 3 months (1,928 days; semi-major axis of 3.03 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.15 and an inclination of 10° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

    The body's observation arc begins with its first observation by Spacewatch at Kitt Peak National Observatory in October 1991, almost 10 years prior to its official discovery observation by NEAT at Palomar.[5]

    Physical characteristics

    Rotation period

    As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Laurelclark has been obtained from photometric observations. The asteroid's rotation period, poles and shape remain unknown.[1][6]

    Diameter and albedo

    According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Laurelclark measures 6.005 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.162.[4]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named after American astronaut and mission specialist Laurel Clark (1961–2003), who was killed in the reentry disaster of Space Shuttle Columbia on 1 February 2003. The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 6 August 2003 (M.P.C. 49283).[7]

    The following asteroids were named in memory of the other six members of STS-107: 51823 Rickhusband, 51824 Mikeanderson, 51825 Davidbrown, 51826 Kalpanachawla, 51828 Ilanramon and 51829 Williemccool.

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 51827 Laurelclark (2001 OH38)" (2017-11-02 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
    2. ↑ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). "(51827) Laurelclark [3.03, 0.14, 10.2]". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (51827) Laurelclark, Addendum to Fifth Edition: 2003–2005. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 216. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-34361-5_2556. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    3. 1 2 "Asteroid 51827 Laurelclark – Proper Elements". AstDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
    4. 1 2 3 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 27 December 2017.
    5. 1 2 "51827 Laurelclark (2001 OH38)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
    6. ↑ "LCDB Data for (51827) Laurelclark". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 28 December 2017.
    7. ↑ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
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