12444 Prothoon

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12444 Prothoon Template:IPAc-en is a large Jupiter trojan from the Trojan camp, approximately Script error: No such module "convert". in diameter. It was discovered on 15 April 1996, by Belgian astronomer Eric Elst at the La Silla Observatory in northern Chile.[1] The assumed C-type asteroid is one of the 60 largest Jupiter trojans and has a rotation period of 15.82 hours.[2] It was named after Prothoon from Greek mythology.[1]

Orbit and classification

Prothoon is a dark Jovian asteroid orbiting in the trailering Trojan camp at Jupiter's Template:L5 Lagrangian point, 60° behind on the Gas Giant's orbit in a 1:1 resonance (see Trojans in astronomy). This asteroid is not a member of any asteroid family but belongs to the Jovian background population.[3][4] It orbits the Sun at a distance of 4.9–5.6 AU once every 12.01 years (4,387 days; semi-major axis of 5.24 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.07 and an inclination of 31° with respect to the ecliptic.[5] The body's observation arc begins with a precovery taken at La Silla in March 1996, one month prior to its official discovery observation.[1]

Physical characteristics

Prothoon is an assumed C-type asteroid.[2]

Rotation period

In August 2011, a rotational lightcurve of Prothoon was obtained from photometric observations by Robert Stephens at the Goat Mountain Astronomical Research Station Template:Obscode in California. Lightcurve analysis gave a rotation period of 15.82 hours with a brightness amplitude of 0.20 magnitude (U=3-Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".).[2][6]

Diameter and albedo

According to the surveys carried out by the Japanese Akari satellite, the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, and the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS, Prothoon measures between 62.41 and 64.31 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo between 0.039 and 0.052.[7][8][9]

The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link derives an albedo of 0.0467 and a diameter of 64.41 kilometers based on an absolute magnitude of 9.9.[2]

Template:Largest Jupiter trojans

Naming

This minor planet was named from Greek mythology after the Trojan warrior Prothoon, who was killed by Teucer during the Trojan War.[1] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 6 January 2003 (M.P.C. 47300Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".).[10]

References

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External links

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