9524 O'Rourke

9524 O'Rourke, provisionally designated 1981 EJ5, is an asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 3 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 2 March 1981, by American astronomer Schelte Bus at the Siding Spring Observatory in New South Wales, Australia. The asteroid was named after Laurence O'Rourke, a researcher at the European Space Astronomy Centre.[2]

9524 O'Rourke
Discovery [1]
Discovered byS. J. Bus
Discovery siteSiding Spring Obs.
Discovery date2 March 1981
Designations
(9524) O'Rourke
Named after
Laurence O'Rourke
(ESAC researcher)[2]
1981 EJ5 · 1975 NU
main-belt · (inner)
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc41.90 yr (15,305 days)
Aphelion2.6928 AU
Perihelion1.7027 AU
2.1978 AU
Eccentricity0.2253
3.26 yr (1,190 days)
335.52°
0° 18m 9s / day
Inclination4.9414°
286.97°
9.9334°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions2.920±0.662 km[3]
0.273±0.087[3]
14.7[1]

    Orbit and classification

    O'Rourke orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.7–2.7 AU once every 3 years and 3 months (1,190 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.23 and an inclination of 5° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] It was first observed as 1975 NU at Crimea–Nauchnij in 1975, extending the asteroid's observation arc by 6 years prior to its official discovery observation.[2]

    Physical characteristics

    According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, the asteroid measures 2.920 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.273.[3]

    As of 2017, O'Rourke's spectral type, as well as its rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1][4]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named after Laurence O'Rourke (born 1970), a researcher at the European Space Astronomy Centre in Madrid, Spain, and a coordinator of ESA's Rosetta mission.[2][5] The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 12 July 2014 (M.P.C. 89078).[6]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 9524 O'Rourke (1981 EJ5)" (2017-06-05 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
    2. "9524 O'Rourke (1981 EJ5)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
    3. 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 10 March 2017.
    4. "LCDB Data for (9524) O'Rourke". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 10 March 2017.
    5. "Asteroids Named After ESA Rosetta Scientists". ESA. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
    6. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 10 March 2017.

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