1608 Muñoz

1608 Muñoz
Discovery [1]
Discovered by M. Itzigsohn
Discovery site La Plata Obs.
Discovery date 1 September 1951
Designations
MPC designation (1608) Muñoz
Named after
 F. A. Muñoz
(astronomer)[2]
1951 RZ · 1951 RK1
1961 UD · 1974 HH1
main-belt · (inner)
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc 68.50 yr (25,019 days)
Aphelion 2.5890 AU
Perihelion 1.8392 AU
2.2141 AU
Eccentricity 0.1693
3.29 yr (1,203 days)
32.722°
0° 17m 57.12s / day
Inclination 3.9435°
356.97°
316.48°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions 6.711±0.571 km[3]
0.403±0.013[4]
12.7[1]

    1608 Muñoz, provisional designation 1951 RZ, is a bright asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 7 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 1 September 1951, by Argentine astronomer Miguel Itzigsohn at the La Plata Astronomical Observatory, in La Plata, Argentina.[5]

    Orbit

    Muñoz orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.8–2.6 AU once every 3 years and 3 months (1,203 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.17 and an inclination of 4° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] It was first imaged on a precovery taken at Lowell Observatory in 1948, extending the body's observation arc by 3 years prior to its official discovery observation.[5]

    Physical characteristics

    According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Muñoz measures 6.71 kilometers in diameter and its surface has a high albedo of 0.403.[3][4] It has an absolute magnitude of 12.7.[1] As of 2017, Muñoz's spectral type, rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1][6]

    Naming

    This minor planet was named in memory of F. A. Muñoz, who was an assistant at the La Plata Observatory in the department of extra-meridian astronomy.[2]

    Muñoz was involved in computational and observational work on minor planets for many years and also took an active part in site testing for the 2.15-m Argentine telescope, also known as the 85-inch or 2.15-metre Jorge Sahade Telescope (also see Leoncito Astronomical Complex).[2] The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 1 August 1980 (M.P.C. 5449).[7]

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1608 Munoz (1951 RZ)" (2017-05-04 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
    2. 1 2 3 Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1608) Muñoz. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 127. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
    3. 1 2 Masiero, Joseph R.; Mainzer, A. K.; Grav, T.; Bauer, J. M.; Cutri, R. M.; Nugent, C.; et al. (November 2012). "Preliminary Analysis of WISE/NEOWISE 3-Band Cryogenic and Post-cryogenic Observations of Main Belt Asteroids". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 759 (1): 5. arXiv:1209.5794. Bibcode:2012ApJ...759L...8M. doi:10.1088/2041-8205/759/1/L8. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
    4. 1 2 Masiero, Joseph R.; Grav, T.; Mainzer, A. K.; Nugent, C. R.; Bauer, J. M.; Stevenson, R.; et al. (August 2014). "Main-belt Asteroids with WISE/NEOWISE: Near-infrared Albedos". The Astrophysical Journal. 791 (2): 11. arXiv:1406.6645. Bibcode:2014ApJ...791..121M. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/791/2/121. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
    5. 1 2 "1608 Munoz (1951 RZ)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
    6. ↑ "LCDB Data for (1608) Muñoz". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 6 April 2017.
    7. ↑ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
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