1205 Ebella (provisional designation 1931 TB1) is a relatively eccentric asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 5.5 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by astronomer Karl Reinmuth at Heidelberg Observatory on 6 October 1931. The asteroid was named after German astronomer Martin Ebell.[5]

1205 Ebella
Discovery[1]
Discovered byK. Reinmuth
Discovery siteHeidelberg Obs.
Discovery date6 October 1931
Designations
(1205) Ebella
Named after
Martin Ebell
(German astronomer)[2]
1931 TB1 · 1970 JT
main-belt · (middle)
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc85.48 yr (31,221 days)
Aphelion3.2287 AU
Perihelion1.8411 AU
2.5349 AU
Eccentricity0.2737
4.04 yr (1,474 days)
103.87°
0° 14m 39.12s / day
Inclination8.8616°
23.083°
349.24°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions5.474±0.283 km[3]
6.0 km (est. at 0.20)[4]
0.214±0.026[3]
13.5[1]

Orbit and classification

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Ebella orbits the Sun in the central main-belt at a distance of 1.8–3.2 AU once every 4.04 years (1,474 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.27 and an inclination of 9° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] As no precoveries were taken and no prior identifications were made, the asteroid's observation arc begins at Heidelberg with its official discovery observation.[5]

Physical characteristics

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Diameter and albedo

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According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Ebella measures 5.474 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.214, which is typical for stony S-type asteroids.[3]

Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, it measures 6.0 kilometers in diameter using an absolute magnitude of 13.50 with an assumed albedo of 0.20.[4]

Lightcurve

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

Naming

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This minor planet was named after Carl Wilhelm Ludwig Martin Ebell (1871–1944) an astronomer from Neuruppin, Germany, who was on the editorial team of the renowned astronomical journal Astronomische Nachrichten. The official naming citation was published by Paul Herget in The Names of the Minor Planets in 1955 (H 112).[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1205 Ebella (1931 TB1)" (2017-03-29 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  2. ^ a b Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1205) Ebella". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1205) Ebella. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 101. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1206. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  3. ^ a b c 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 5 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS/JPL. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  5. ^ a b "1205 Ebella (1931 TB1)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  6. ^ "LCDB Data for (1205) Ebella". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 5 August 2017.
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