1637 Swings

1637 Swings, provisional designation 1936 QO, is a dark asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 50 kilometers in diameter. Discovered by Joseph Hunaerts in 1936, it was named after Belgian astronomer Pol Swings.

1637 Swings
Shape model of Swings from its lightcurve
Discovery [1]
Discovered byJ. Hunaerts
Discovery siteUccle Obs.
Discovery date28 August 1936
Designations
(1637) Swings
Named after
Pol Swings (astrophysicist)[2]
1936 QO · 1907 YT
1934 FL · 1934 FP
1936 SD · 1939 FU
1950 GA
main-belt · (outer)
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc109.78 yr (40,096 days)
Aphelion3.2088 AU
Perihelion2.9356 AU
3.0722 AU
Eccentricity0.0445
5.38 yr (1,967 days)
123.47°
0° 10m 58.8s / day
Inclination14.068°
21.288°
236.17°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions45.15 km (IRAS)[3]
52.994±0.428 km[4]
0.042±0.004[4]
10.4[1]

    Discovery

    Swings was discovered on 28 August 1936, by Belgian astronomer Joseph Hunaerts at the Royal Observatory of Belgium in Uccle, Belgium.[5] In the following month, it was independently discovered by astronomer Cyril Jackson at Johannesburg Observatory in South Africa.[2]

    Orbit and classification

    The asteroid orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.9–3.2 AU once every 5 years and 5 months (1,967 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.04 and an inclination of 14° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] In 1907, Swings was first identified as 1907 YT at Heidelberg Observatory. However, the body's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation at Uccle in 1936.[5]

    Physical characteristics

    According to the surveys carried out by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS and NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Swings' surface has an albedo of 0.042, and measures 45.15 and 52.99 kilometers in diameter, respectively.[3][4] It has an absolute magnitude of 10.4.[1]

    As of 2017, the body's spectral type, rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named after Pol Swings (1906–1983), a Belgian astrophysicist, astronomer and president of the International Astronomical Union during 1964–1967, who significantly contributed to the understanding of the physics of comets and their spectra.[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 20 February 1976 (M.P.C. 3932).[6]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1637 Swings (1936 QO)" (2017-01-12 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
    2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1637) Swings". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1637) Swings. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 130. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1638. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    3. Tedesco, E. F.; Noah, P. V.; Noah, M.; Price, S. D. (October 2004). "IRAS Minor Planet Survey V6.0". NASA Planetary Data System – IRAS-A-FPA-3-RDR-IMPS-V6.0. Bibcode:2004PDSS...12.....T. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
    4. 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 27 December 2016.
    5. "1637 Swings (1936 QO)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
    6. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2009). "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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