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23131 Debenedictis (provisional designation 2000 AS₁₂₈) is a bright background asteroid from the inner region of the asteroid belt, approximately 4 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 5 January 2000, by astronomers of the LINEAR program at the Lincoln Laboratory's Experimental Test Site near Socorro, New Mexico, United States. The asteroid was named for 2007-ISEF awardee Erika Alden DeBenedictis.

Orbit and classification

Debenedictis is a non-family from the main belt's background population. It orbits the Sun in the inner asteroid belt at a distance of 1.9–2.6 AU once every 3 years and 4 months (1,220 days; semi-major axis of 2.23 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.17 and an inclination of 2° with respect to the ecliptic.

The body's observation arc begins with its first observations as 1955 SF₂ at Heidelberg Observatory in September 1955, or more than 44 years prior to its official discovery observation at Socorro.

Physical characteristics

Based on the asteroid's geometric albedo of 0.249, it is possibly a stony S-type asteroid.

Rotation period

As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of Debenedictis has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, pole 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, Debenedictis measures 3.853 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.249.

Naming

This minor planet was named after American 2007-ISEF awardee Erika Alden DeBenedictis (born 1992) for her computer science project. She attended the Saint Pius X High School, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 28 August 2007 (M.P.C. 60501).

In 2008, she further became connected to asteroids when she attended the Summer Science Program, which teaches astronomy through a curriculum based on asteroid observations and orbital calculations. At the program in Socorro, New Mexico, just a short distance from where the asteroid was discovered, she had the opportunity to observe her namesake.

References

1. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 23131 Debenedictis (2000 AS128)" (2017-03-30 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
2. ^ "23131 Debenedictis (2000 AS128)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
3. ^ "Asteroid 23131 Debenedictis – 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. S2CID 118745497. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
5. "LCDB Data for (23131) Debenedictis". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 31 January 2018.
6. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
7. Renteria, Roger (18 July 2008). "A Day in the Life of SSP Students, July 18, 2008". New Mexico Tech. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
8. "Asteroid DeBenedictis". people.physics.tamu.edu. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2023.

External links

• Images of (23131) Debenedictis, Texas A&M University Department of Physics and Astronomy
• 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 (20001)-(25000) – Minor Planet Center
• 23131 Debenedictis at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
  • Ephemeris · Observation prediction · Orbital info · Proper elements · Observational info
• 23131 Debenedictis 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 LINEAR
• Named minor planets
• Summer Science Program
• Astronomical objects discovered in 2000