4257 Ubasti

Orbit and classification

Ubasti orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.9–2.4 AU once every 2 years and 1 month (772 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.47 and an inclination of 41° with respect to the ecliptic. Due to its high eccentricity, Ubasti is also a Mars-crossing asteroid. The body's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation, as no precoveries were taken and no prior identification had been made.

Close approaches

As a near-Earth object, Ubasti has a low Earth minimum orbital intersection distance of 0.1714 AU, which corresponds to 66.8 lunar distances (LD). This distance, however, is too large to make it a potentially hazardous asteroid (0.05 AU; less than 20 LD).

Physical characteristics

Ubasti is an assumed stony S-type asteroid.

Rotation period

As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Ubasti has been obtained and its rotation period remains unknown. However, the Lowell Observatory Near-Earth Asteroid Photometric Survey has measured the body's brightness variation caused by its rotation, which gave a maximum of 0.36 magnitude. This indicates that the body has a somewhat non-spherical shape.

Diameter and albedo

According to the survey carried out by the Japanese Akari satellite, Ubasti measures 1.30 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.376, while the Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes a standard albedo for stony asteroids of 0.20 and calculates a diameter of 1.96 kilometers based on an absolute magnitude of 15.9.

Naming

This minor planet was named after Egyptian goddesses Bastet, who was originally the goddess of warfare, equated with the lioness war goddess, but later transformed into a major protector deity represented as a cat. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 21 November 1991 (M.P.C. 19336). The discoverer dedicated this asteroid to her beloved companion, Pepper Cat (1974–1991).

References