2055 Dvořák

Classification and orbit

Dvořák is a Mars-crossing asteroid, as it crosses the orbit of Mars at 1.666 AU. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.6–3.0 AU once every 3 years and 6 months (1,283 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.31 and an inclination of 21° with respect to the ecliptic. The body's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation at Bergedorf in 1974.

Physical characteristics

Lightcurves

In July 2013, two rotational lightcurves of Dvořák were obtained from photometric observations by Julian Oey at the Blue Mountain Observatory (Q68), Australia, and by a collaboration of astronomers in Argentina. Lightcurve analysis gave a concurring rotation period of 4.405 and 4.4106 hours, respectively, both with a brightness variation of 0.17 magnitude ().

Diameter and albedo estimates

The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes a standard albedo for stony asteroids of 0.20 and calculates a diameter of 8.18 kilometers based on an absolute magnitude of 12.8. Dvořák has not been surveyed by any of the space-based telescopes such as IRAS, Akari and WISE.

Naming

This minor planet was named after Czech composer Antonin Dvořák (1841–1904), one of the worldwide known Czech composers along with Bedřich Smetana. The official was published by the Minor Planet Center on 1 July 1979 (M.P.C. 4786).

References