2578 Saint-Exupéry

2578 Saint-Exupéry, provisional designation 1975 VW3, is an Eoan asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 17 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by Russian astronomer Tamara Smirnova at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Nauchnyj on 2 November 1975, and named after French aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.[2][6]

2578 Saint-Exupéry
Discovery [1]
Discovered byT. Smirnova
Discovery siteCrimean Astrophysical Obs.
Discovery date2 November 1975
Designations
(2578) Saint-Exupéry
Named after
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
(French writer)[2]
1975 VW3 · 1952 HG2
1980 TA1
main-belt · (outer)
Eos [3]
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc64.61 yr (23,599 days)
Aphelion3.2935 AU
Perihelion2.7101 AU
3.0018 AU
Eccentricity0.0972
5.20 yr (1,900 days)
17.255°
0° 11m 22.2s / day
Inclination10.571°
55.704°
336.25°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions17.014±0.485[4]
22±9 km (calculated)[5]
0.168±0.039[4]
11.5[1]

    Classification and orbit

    Saint-Exupéry is a member the Eos family (606),[3] the largest asteroid family of the outer main belt consisting of nearly 10,000 known members.[7]:23 The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.7–3.3 AU once every 5 years and 2 months (1,900 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.10 and an inclination of 11° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

    The asteroid's was first identified as 1952 HG2 at McDonald Observatory in Texas. One month later, it was also observed at the Palomar Observatory in May 1952. Its observation arc begins by 23 years prior to its official discovery observation at Nauchnyj.[6]

    Physical characteristics

    According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Saint-Exupéry measures 17.0 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.168.[4] Based on its absolute magnitude of 11.5, its generic diameter is between 13 and 30 kilometers, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25.[5]

    As of 2017, Saint-Exupéry's effective composition, rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1][8]

    Naming

    The minor planet was named in honour of French aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900–1944). The name also alludes to Saint-Exupéry's best-known character, The Little Prince, who lives on an asteroid.[2]

    In the book, the prince's asteroid also has a unique code: B612 (which does not match this minor planet's provisional designation). However, there is another asteroid called 46610 Bésixdouze, which is French for "B-six-twelve" (B612 in hexadecimal notation equals 46610).

    The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 11 July 1987 (M.P.C. 12012).[9]

    See also

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 2578 Saint-Exupery (1975 VW3)" (2017-01-02 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
    2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(2578) Saint-Exupéry". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (2578) Saint-Exupéry. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 210. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_2579. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
    3. "Asteroid 2578 Saint-Exupery – Nesvorny HCM Asteroid Families V3.0". Small Bodies Data Ferret. Retrieved 26 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 6 December 2016.
    5. "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
    6. "2578 Saint-Exupery (1975 VW3)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
    7. Nesvorný, D.; Broz, M.; Carruba, V. (December 2014). Identification and Dynamical Properties of Asteroid Families. Asteroids IV. pp. 297–321. arXiv:1502.01628. Bibcode:2015aste.book..297N. doi:10.2458/azu_uapress_9780816532131-ch016. ISBN 9780816532131.
    8. "LCDB Data for (2578) Saint-Exupéry". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 14 June 2017.
    9. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
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