2691 Sérsic, provisional designation 1974 KB, is a stony Florian asteroid and binary system from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 6 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by staff members at the Felix Aguilar Observatory at El Leoncito Complex in Argentina, on 18 May 1974.[6] The asteroid was named after Argentine astronomer José Luis Sérsic.[2]

2691 Sérsic
Discovery [1]
Discovered byFelix Aguilar Obs.
Discovery siteEl Leoncito Complex
Discovery date18 May 1974
Designations
(2691) Sérsic
Named after
José Sérsic
(Argentine astronomer)[2]
1974 KB · 1938 UU
1978 QR1
main-belt · Flora[3]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc67.02 yr (24,480 days)
Aphelion2.4977 AU
Perihelion1.9915 AU
2.2446 AU
Eccentricity0.1127
3.36 yr (1,228 days)
312.67°
0° 17m 35.16s / day
Inclination3.5937°
319.88°
277.14°
Known satellites1[4]
Physical characteristics
Dimensions5.438±0.119[5]
6.21 km (calculated)[3]
3.8811±0.0003 h
0.24 (assumed)[3]
0.261±0.062[5]
S[3]
13.2[1][3]

Classification and orbit

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Sérsic is a member of the Flora family, one of the largest groups of stony asteroids in the main-belt. It orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 2.0–2.5 AU once every 3 years and 4 months (1,228 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.11 and an inclination of 4° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

Physical characteristics

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Diameter and albedo

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The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes an albedo of 0.24 – derived from 8 Flora, the largest member and namesake of this orbital family – and calculates a diameter of 6.21 kilometers with an absolute magnitude of 13.2.[3]

Satellite

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Sérsic is a binary asteroid. A minor-planet moon, designated S/2011 (2691) 1 was discovered in 2011 from lightcurve observations of the asteroid. It has a diameter of 2.15 ± 0.11 and an orbital period of 1 day, 2 hours, and 48 minutes.[3][4]

Naming

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This minor planet was named in honor of José Luis Sérsic (1933–1993), well known for his work in extragalactic astronomy and on supernovae (also see Sérsic profile and Lenticular galaxy § Sérsic decomposition). He has served as director of the Córdoba Observatory.[2] The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 20 February 1989 (M.P.C. 14207).[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 2691 Sersic (1974 KB)" (2017-03-29 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(2691) Sersic". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (2691) Sersic. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 220. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_2692. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "LCDB Data for (2691) Sersic". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  4. ^ a b Johnston, Robert. "(2691) Sersic". johnstonsarchive.net. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  5. ^ a b 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 18 June 2017.
  6. ^ "2691 Sersic (1974 KB)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  7. ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
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