99906 Uofalberta
Discovery [1]
Discovered byA. Lowe
Discovery sitePalomar Obs.
Discovery date17 August 2002
Designations
(99906) Uofalberta
Named after
University of Alberta [2]
2002 QV53
main-belt [1] · (outer) [3]
background [4][5]
Orbital characteristics [3]
Epoch 27 April 2019 (JD 2458600.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc20.63 yr (7,536 d)
Aphelion3.4925 AU
Perihelion2.9316 AU
3.2120 AU
Eccentricity0.0873
5.76 yr (2,103 d)
282.41°
0° 10m 16.32s / day
Inclination11.665°
161.15°
219.28°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
6.834±0.303 km[4][6]
0.055±0.015[6]
14.8[1][3]

    99906 Uofalberta, provisional designation 2002 QV53, is a dark background asteroid from the outermost region of the asteroid belt, approximately 6.8 kilometers (4.2 miles) in diameter. It was discovered by Canadian amateur astronomer Andrew Lowe on 17 August 2002, from digitized photographic plates taken at the Palomar Observatory.[1] It was named for the University of Alberta.

    Orbit and classification

    Uofalberta is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population,[4][5] located just inside the region of the Cybele asteroids (3.3–3.7 AU). It orbits the Sun in the outer asteroid belt at a distance of 2.9–3.5 AU once every 5 years and 9 months (2,103 days; semi-major axis of 3.21 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.09 and an inclination of 12° with respect to the ecliptic.[3]

    The body's first observation was found on images taken by the Siding Spring Observatory in November 1997, and were published by the Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) later on. The asteroid's observation arc begins with a precovery in February 1999, when it was observed at the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking at Haleakala Observatory.[1]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named after the University of Alberta; the initials of its motto Quaecumque Vera ("Whatsoever things are true") appear in the provisional designation. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 18 September 2005 (M.P.C. 54830).[7]

    Physical characteristics

    According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Uofalberta measures 6.834 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.055.[6] Due to its low albedo and location far out the asteroid belt, Uofalberta is likely a carbonaceous C-type asteroid. As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of Uofalberta has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.[3][8]

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 "99906 Uofalberta (2002 QV53)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
    2. ↑ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). "(99906) Uofalberta [3.21, 0.09, 11.7]". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (99906) Uofalberta, Addendum to Fifth Edition: 2003–2005. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. pp. 238–239. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-34361-5_2844. ISBN 978-3-540-34361-5.
    3. 1 2 3 4 5 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 99906 Uofalberta (2002 QV53)" (2018-07-11 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
    4. 1 2 3 "Asteroid 99906 Uofalberta". Small Bodies Data Ferret. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
    5. 1 2 "Asteroid (99906) Uofalberta". AstDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
    6. 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 4 December 2018.
    7. ↑ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
    8. ↑ "LCDB Data for (99906) Uofalberta". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 4 December 2018.
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