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51827 Laurelclark (provisional designation 2001 OH₃₈) is a background asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 6 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 20 July 2001, by astronomers of the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking program at Palomar Observatory in California, United States. The asteroid was named for astronaut Laurel Clark, who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

Orbit and classification

Laurelclark is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population. It orbits the Sun in the outer asteroid belt at a distance of 2.6–3.5 AU once every 5 years and 3 months (1,928 days; semi-major axis of 3.03 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.15 and an inclination of 10° with respect to the ecliptic.

The body's observation arc begins with its first observation by Spacewatch at Kitt Peak National Observatory in October 1991, almost 10 years prior to its official discovery observation by NEAT at Palomar.

Physical characteristics

Rotation period

As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Laurelclark has been obtained from photometric observations. The asteroid's rotation period, poles 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, Laurelclark measures 6.005 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.162.

Naming

This minor planet was named after American astronaut and mission specialist Laurel Clark (1961–2003), who was killed in the reentry disaster of Space Shuttle Columbia on 1 February 2003. The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 6 August 2003 (M.P.C. 49283).

The following asteroids were named in memory of the other six members of STS-107: 51823 Rickhusband, 51824 Mikeanderson, 51825 Davidbrown, 51826 Kalpanachawla, 51828 Ilanramon and 51829 Williemccool.

References

1. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 51827 Laurelclark (2001 OH38)" (2017-11-02 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). "(51827) Laurelclark [3.03, 0.14, 10.2]". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (51827) Laurelclark, Addendum to Fifth Edition: 2003–2005. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 216. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-34361-5_2556. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
3. ^ "Asteroid 51827 Laurelclark – Proper Elements". AstDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site. Retrieved 29 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 27 December 2017.
5. ^ "51827 Laurelclark (2001 OH38)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
6. "LCDB Data for (51827) Laurelclark". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 28 December 2017.
7. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 27 December 2017.

External links

• NASA JPL - Space Shuttle Columbia Tribute page Archived 8 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
• 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
• 51827 Laurelclark at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
  • Ephemeris · Observation prediction · Orbital info · Proper elements · Observational info
• 51827 Laurelclark at the JPL Small-Body Database
  • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit viewer · Orbit parameters · Physical parameters

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