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51823 Rickhusband (provisional designation 2001 OY₂₈) is a dark Lixiaohua asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 9 kilometers in diameter.

It was discovered on 18 July 2001, by astronomers of the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking at Palomar Observatory in California, United States. The asteroid was named after American astronaut Rick Husband, who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

Orbit and classification

Rickhusband is a member of the Lixiaohua family, an outer-belt asteroid family of more than 700 known members, which consists of C- and X-type asteroids.

It orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.5–3.8 AU once every 5 years and 7 months (2,036 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.22 and an inclination of 12° with respect to the ecliptic.

The body's observation arc begins with its first identification as 1994 JM₇ by Spacewatch at Kitt Peak Observatory in May 1994, more than 7 years prior to its official discovery observation by NEAT.

Physical characteristics

Rotation period

As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Rickhusband has been obtained from photometric observations. The asteroid's rotation period, poles and shape remains unknown.

Diameter and albedo

According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Rickhusband measures 8.731 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.048.

Naming

This minor planet was named in memory of American astronaut Rick Husband (1957–2003), who was the commander of STS-107 and was killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on 1 February 2003. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 6 August 2003 (M.P.C. 49283).

References

1. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 51823 Rickhusband (2001 OY28)" (2016-06-07 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
2. ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). "(51823) Rickhusband [3.16, 0.21, 11.5]". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 215. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-34361-5_2552. ISBN 978-3-540-34361-5.
3. ^ "Asteroid 51823 Rickhusband – Nesvorny HCM Asteroid Families V3.0". Small Bodies Data Ferret. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
4. ^ 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 5 September 2017.
5. ^ "51823 Rickhusband (2001 OY28)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
6. Nesvorný, D.; Broz, M.; Carruba, V. (December 2014). "Identification and Dynamical Properties of Asteroid Families". Asteroids IV. pp. 297–321. arXiv:1502.01628. Bibcode:2015aste.book..297N. doi:10.2458/azu_uapress_9780816532131-ch016. ISBN 978-0-8165-3213-1.
7. "LCDB Data for (51823) Rickhusband". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 5 September 2017.
8. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 5 September 2017.

External links

• NASA JPL - Space Shuttle Columbia Tribute page Archived 8 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
• Orbital simulation and data for 51823 Rickhusband
• Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB), query form (info Archived 16 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine)
• Dictionary of Minor Planet Names, Google books
• Asteroids and comets rotation curves, CdR – Observatoire de Genève, Raoul Behrend
• Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (50001)-(55000) – Minor Planet Center
• 51823 Rickhusband at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
  • Ephemeris · Observation prediction · Orbital info · Proper elements · Observational info
• 51823 Rickhusband at the JPL Small-Body Database
  • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit viewer · Orbit parameters · Physical parameters

• Minor planet object articles (numbered)
• Lixiaohua asteroids
• Discoveries by NEAT
• Named minor planets
• Astronomical objects discovered in 2001