6312 Robheinlein

Orbit and classification

When applying the hierarchical clustering method to the asteroid's proper orbital elements, Robheinlein is considered to be a member of the Augusta family (as per Zappalà) as well as a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population (as per Nesvorný).

It orbits the Sun in the inner asteroid belt at a distance of 2.0–2.3 AU once every 3 years and 3 months (1,179 days; semi-major axis of 2.18 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.07 and an inclination of 4° with respect to the ecliptic. The body's observation arc begins with its first observation as at the Kleť Observatory in January 1982, more than 8 years prior to its official discovery observation at Palomar.

Naming

Based on a suggestion by Belgian amateur astronomer Jean Meeus, this minor planet was named after Robert Anson Heinlein (1907–1988), the Dean of Science Fiction, author of the mainstream literary classic Stranger in a Strange Land, and science fiction novels Starship Troopers and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 13 April 2006 (M.P.C. 56611).

Heinlein helped narrate The Moon Landing with Walter Cronkite on CBS in 1969, was involved in the planning of the Star Wars Defense program in the 1980s, contributed the words Waldo and Grok to the English language, and popularized the phrases Space Marine, TANSTAAFL, and Pay it Forward.

Physical characteristics

Robheinlein is an L-type asteroid in the SDSS-based taxonomy. It has an absolute magnitude of 14.1. As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.

Diameter and albedo

According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Robheinlein measures 3.588 kilometers in diameter and its surface has a high albedo of 0.314.

References