53311 Deucalion

53311 Deucalion /djuːˈkeɪliən/, provisional designation 1999 HU11, is a trans-Neptunian object from the classical Kuiper belt, located in the outermost region of the Solar System, approximately 130–210 kilometers (81–130 miles). The cubewano belongs to the cold population and was discovered on 18 April 1999, by the Deep Ecliptic Survey at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, United States. It was named after Deucalion, from Greek mythology.[1][6][5]

53311 Deucalion
Discovery [1]
Discovered byDES
Discovery siteKitt Peak National Obs.
Discovery date18 April 1999
Designations
(53311) Deucalion
Pronunciation/djuːˈkeɪliən, -ɒn/[2]
Named after
Δευκαλίων Deukălĭōn[1]
(Greek mythology)
1999 HU11
TNO [3] · cubewano[4]
cold [5]
AdjectivesDeucalionean
Deucalionian /djuːkæliˈoʊniən/
Orbital characteristics [3]
Epoch 27 April 2019 (JD 2458600.5)
Uncertainty parameter 4 · 3[1]
Observation arc15.04 yr (5,492 d)
Aphelion47.371 AU
Perihelion41.419 AU
44.395 AU
Eccentricity0.0670
295.81 yr (108,044 d)
307.41°
0° 0m 11.88s / day
Inclination0.3720°
51.363°
237.36°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
131 km (est.)[5]
212 km (est.)[6]
0.09 (assumed)[6]
0.20 (assumed)[5]
6.6[1][3]

    Orbit and classification

    Deucalion orbits the Sun at a distance of 41.4–47.4 AU once every 295 years and 10 months (108,044 days; semi-major axis of 44.4 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.07 and an inclination of 0° with respect to the ecliptic.[3] The body's observation arc begins six days prior to its official discovery observation in April 1999.[1]

    It is a cubewano from the classical Kuiper belt,[6] located in between the resonant plutino and twotino populations and has a low-eccentricity orbit. With its very small inclination (0.3°), significantly less than 4–7°, the object belongs to the cold population rather than the "stirred" hot population.

    Naming

    This minor planet was named from Greek mythology after Deucalion, son of Prometheus. He and his wife Pyrrha were the only ones that survived the great deluge ("the flood of Deucalion") brought upon all humans by Zeus. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 14 June 2003 (M.P.C. 49102).[7]

    Physical characteristics

    Johnston's archive estimates a diameter of 212 kilometers based on an assumed albedo of 0.09, while American astronomer Michael Brown, calculates a diameter of 131 kilometers, using an estimated albedo of 0.20 and an absolute magnitude of 6.6.[6][5]

    On his website, Brown lists this object no longer as a dwarf planet candidate in his 5-class taxonomic system.[5] As of 2018, no spectral type and color indices, nor a rotational lightcurve have been obtained from spectroscopic and photometric observations. The body's color, rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.[3][8]

    References
    1. "53311 Deucalion (1999 HU11)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
    2. Noah Webster (1884) A Practical Dictionary of the English Language
    3. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 53311 Deucalion (1999 HU11)" (2014-04-25 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
    4. Marc W. Buie (31 May 2003). "Orbit Fit and Astrometric record for 53311". SwRI (Space Science Department). Retrieved 28 September 2008.
    5. Brown, Michael E. "How many dwarf planets are there in the outer solar system?". California Institute of Technology. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
    6. Johnston, Wm. Robert (7 October 2018). "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
    7. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
    8. "LCDB Data for (53311) Deucalion". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 3 December 2018.

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