1905 Ambartsumian, provisional designation 1972 JZ, is an asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 8 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 14 May 1972, by Russian astronomer Tamara Smirnova at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, Nauchnyj, on the Crimean peninsula.[5] The asteroid was named after theoretical astrophysicist Victor Ambartsumian.[2]

1905 Ambartsumian
Lightcurve-based 3D-model of Ambartsumian
Discovery[1]
Discovered byT. Smirnova
Discovery siteCrimean Astrophysical Obs.
Discovery date14 May 1972
Designations
(1905) Ambartsumian
Named after
Victor Ambartsumian
(theoretical astrophysicist)[2]
1972 JZ · 1932 FC
1952 HO3 · 1959 QD
1962 JX · 1969 PF
1976 SS5
main-belt · (inner)
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc84.99 yr (31,043 days)
Aphelion2.5842 AU
Perihelion1.8624 AU
2.2233 AU
Eccentricity0.1623
3.32 yr (1,211 days)
224.81°
0° 17m 50.28s / day
Inclination2.6158°
201.37°
61.590°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions8.008±0.417 km[3]
12±5 km (generic)[4]
0.229±0.037[3]
12.8[1]

Orbit and classification

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Ambartsumian orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.9–2.6 AU once every 3 years and 4 months (1,211 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.16 and an inclination of 3° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] It was first identified as 1932 FC at Simeiz Observatory in 1932, extending the body's observation arc by 40 years prior to its official discovery observation.[5]

Physical characteristics

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According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Ambartsumian measures 8.0 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.23.[3] When using a generic diameter-to-magnitude conversion, it has a diameter of 7–17 kilometers, based on an absolute magnitude of 12.8 and an albedo in the range of 0.05–0.25, which accounts for both the brighter stony as well as for the darker carbonaceous spectral types.[4] As of 2017, Ambartsumian's composition, rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1][6]

Naming

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This minor planet was named after Soviet–Armenian theoretical astrophysicist Victor Ambartsumian (1908–1996), founder of the Soviet School for Astrophysics, president of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR, director of the Byurakan Observatory, and president of the IAU (1961–1964).[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 20 February 1976 (M.P.C. 3937).[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1905 Ambartsumian (1972 JZ)" (2017-03-29 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1905) Ambartsumian". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1905) Ambartsumian. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 153. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1906. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  3. ^ a b c 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 10 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS NASA/JPL. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  5. ^ a b "1905 Ambartsumian (1972 JZ)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  6. ^ "LCDB Data for (1905) Ambartsumian". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  7. ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. "Appendix – Publication Dates of the MPCs". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – Addendum to Fifth Edition (2006–2008). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 221. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-01965-4. ISBN 978-3-642-01964-7.
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