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19139 Apian (provisional designation 1989 GJ₈) is a bright background asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 6 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 6 April 1989, by German astronomer Freimut Börngen at the Karl Schwarzschild Observatory in Tautenburg, Eastern Germany. The asteroid was named for medieval German humanist Petrus Apianus.

Orbit and classification

Apian is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population. It orbits the Sun in the central asteroid belt at a distance of 2.4–2.8 AU once every 4 years and 2 months (1,516 days; semi-major axis of 2.58 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.08 and an inclination of 8° with respect to the ecliptic.

The body's observation arc begins with a precovery published in the Digitized Sky Survey and taken at Palomar Observatory in February 1989, approximately 2 months prior to its official discovery observation at Tautenburg.

Physical characteristics

The asteroid's spectral type is unknown. Based on its albedo (see below), it is a stony rather than carbonaceous asteroid.

Rotation period

As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of Apian 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, Apian measures 5.643 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.265.

Naming

This minor planet was named after Petrus Apianus (1495–1552), also known as Peter Apian, a German mathematician and cartographer, who also built astronomical instruments. He is best known for his sky atlas Astronomicum Caesareum published in 1540. The lunar crater Apianus was also named in his honor.

The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 20 November 2002 (M.P.C. 47168).

References

1. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 19139 Apian (1989 GJ8)" (2017-03-17 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
2. ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). "(19139) Apian". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (19139) Apian. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 856. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_9543. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
3. ^ "19139 Apian (1989 GJ8)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
4. ^ "Asteroid 19139 Apian – Proper Elements". AstDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
5. ^ 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 3 January 2018.
6. "LCDB Data for (19139) Apian". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 3 January 2018.
7. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 3 January 2018.

External links

• Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB), query form (info Archived 21 July 2011 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 (15001)-(20000) – Minor Planet Center
• 19139 Apian at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
  • Ephemeris · Observation prediction · Orbital info · Proper elements · Observational info
• 19139 Apian 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 Freimut Börngen
• Named minor planets
• Astronomical objects discovered in 1989