2613 Plzeň, provisional designation 1979 QE, is an asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 28 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 30 August 1979, by Czech astronomer Ladislav Brožek at the South Bohemian Kleť Observatory in the Czech Republic.[5] It was later named for the Czech city of Plzeň.[2]

2613 Plzeň
Discovery [1]
Discovered byL. Brožek
Discovery siteKleť Obs.
Discovery date30 August 1979
Designations
(2613) Plzeň
Named after
Plzeň (Czech city)[2]
1979 QE · 1969 XA
main-belt · (outer)
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc47.16 yr (17,224 days)
Aphelion3.1789 AU
Perihelion2.9028 AU
3.0408 AU
Eccentricity0.0454
5.30 yr (1,937 days)
310.56°
0° 11m 9.24s / day
Inclination13.017°
277.58°
192.11°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions22±9 km (generic)[3]
28.007±0.132 km[4]
28.18 km (IRAS:3)[1]
0.0737 (IRAS:3)[1]
0.077±0.010[4]
11.4[1]

Orbit and classification

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Plzeň orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.9–3.2 AU once every 5 years and 4 months (1,937 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.05 and an inclination of 13° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] It was first identified as 1969 XA at Crimea-Nauchnij in 1969. However, Plzeň's observation arc begins with its discovery observation in 1979, as its first identification remained unused.[5]

Physical characteristics

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According to three observations made by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS and based on observations made by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, the asteroid measures 28.0 and 28.2 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.074 and 0.077,[1][4] which is a typical albedo carbonaceous asteroids. Based on its absolute magnitude of 11.4, its mean-diameter is between 13 and 32 kilometers, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25, which covers both stony and carbonaceous types.[3]

As of 2016, Plzeň's spectral type, surface composition, rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1][6]

Naming

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This minor planet was named in honour of the Czech city of Plzeň, internationally better known as "Pilsen", birthplace of the discoverer, industrial and cultural center of West Bohemia, and known worldwide for its Pilsner beer.[2] The official naming citation was published on 28 January 1983 (M.P.C. 7619).[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 2613 Plzen (1979 QE)" (2017-01-27 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(2613) Plzeň". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (2613) Plzeň. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 213. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_2614. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  3. ^ a b "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL. Archived from the original on 2 March 2001. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Masiero, Joseph R.; Grav, T.; Mainzer, A. K.; Nugent, C. R.; Bauer, J. M.; Stevenson, R.; et al. (August 2014). "Main-belt Asteroids with WISE/NEOWISE: Near-infrared Albedos". The Astrophysical Journal. 791 (2): 11. arXiv:1406.6645. Bibcode:2014ApJ...791..121M. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/791/2/121. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  5. ^ a b "2613 Plzen (1979 QE)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  6. ^ "LCDB Data for (2613) Plzeň". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  7. ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
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