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11948 Justinehénin, provisional designation 1993 QQ₄, is a Themistian asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 12 kilometers in diameter.

The asteroid was discovered on 18 August 1993, by Belgian astronomer Eric Elst at CERGA (010) in Caussols, southeastern France. It was named for tennis player Justine Henin.

Orbit and classification

Justinehénin orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.8–3.6 AU once every 5 years and 9 months (2,091 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.12 and an inclination of 2° with respect to the ecliptic. The first identification was made at Crimea–Nauchnij in 1973, extending the asteroid's observation arc by 31 years prior to its discovery.

Physical characteristics

Diameter and albedo

Based on an absolute magnitude of 13.2, Justinehénin potentially measures between 6 and 14 kilometers in diameter, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25. Since asteroids in the outer main-belt are mostly of a carbonaceous rather than of a silicaceous composition, with low albedos, typically around 0.06, Justinehénin's diameter might be on the upper end of NASA's published conversion table, as the lower the body's reflectivity (albedo), the larger its diameter at a constant absolute magnitude (brightness).

Lightcurves

As of 2017, the asteroid's effective size, its composition and albedo, as well as its rotation period and shape remain unknown.

Naming

This minor planet was named for Belgian former professional tennis player Justine Henin (born 1985). Although her name (usually) contains no acute accent, the asteroid's official name does. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 10 September 2003 (M.P.C. 49674).

References

1. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 11948 Justinehenin (1993 QQ4)" (2017-01-07 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
2. ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). "(11948) Justinehénin ". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (11948) Justinehénin, Addendum to Fifth Edition: 2003–2005. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 66. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-34361-5_612. ISBN 978-3-540-34361-5.
3. ^ "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL. Archived from the original on 2 March 2001. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
4. ^ "11948 Justinehenin (1993 QQ4)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
5. "LCDB Data for (11948) Justinehénin". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 23 June 2017.
6. "BNP Paribas presents solidarity initiatives including #RGLegendsTalks, a tribute to Roland-Garros - BNP Paribas". BNP Paribas.
7. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 9 July 2016.

External links

• 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 (10001)-(15000) – Minor Planet Center
• 11948 Justinehénin at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
  • Ephemeris · Observation prediction · Orbital info · Proper elements · Observational info
• 11948 Justinehénin at the JPL Small-Body Database
  • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit viewer · Orbit parameters · Physical parameters

• Minor planet object articles (numbered)
• Themis asteroids
• Discoveries by Eric Walter Elst
• Named minor planets
• Astronomical objects discovered in 1993