9949 Brontosaurus

Orbit and classification

Brontosaurus orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 2.2–2.5 AU once every 3 years and 7 months (1,319 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.06 and an inclination of 8° with respect to the ecliptic. It was first identified as at Crimea–Nauchnij in 1978, extending the body's observation arc by 12 years prior to its official discovery observation at La Silla.

Physical characteristics

Diameter and albedo

According to the surveys carried out by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS and NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Brontosaurus measures 17 and 4.231 kilometers in diameter, respectively. WISE/NEOWISE also gives an albedo of 0.248 for the body's surface. It has an absolute magnitude of 13.8.

Rotation period

As of 2017, the asteroid's rotation period and shape remain unknown.

Naming

This minor planet was named after Brontosaurus, a gigantic quadruped sauropod dinosaurs, which walked on all four legs and lived in the Upper Jurassic. Adult individuals measured up to 20 meters and had a weight of up to 20 tons. Many Fossils have been found in the United States. Brontosaurus is one of the best-known dinosaurs. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 20 November 2002 (M.P.C. 47166).

References

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References

1. {{OED. Brontosaurus
2. Tedesco E.F.. "The supplemental IRAS minor planet survey (SIMPS)".