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24626 Astrowizard (provisional designation 1980 TS₃) is a dark background asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 7 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 9 October 1980, by American astronomer couple Carolyn and Eugene Shoemaker at the Palomar Observatory in California, United States. The asteroid was named for American science educator David Rodrigues, who would perform at public events as "The Astro Wizard".

Orbit and classification

Astrowizard is a non-family from the main belt's background population. It orbits the Sun in the central asteroid belt at a distance of 2.0–3.6 AU once every 4 years and 7 months (1,685 days; semi-major axis of 2.77 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.29 and an inclination of 8° with respect to the ecliptic. The body's observation arc begins at the discovering observatory just two nights prior to its official discovery observation.

Physical characteristics

Based on its geometric albedo of 0.072, Astrowizard is possibly a carbonaceous C-type asteroid.

Rotation period

As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of Astrowizard 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, Astrowizard measures 6.528 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.072.

Naming

This minor planet was named by the discoverers after David V. Rodrigues (born 1952), an American astronomical lecturer at the Morrison Planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. He is known for his educational outreach on astronomy to the public and school children, wearing a wizard costume.

The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 1 May 2003 (M.P.C. 48396).

References

1. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 24626 Astrowizard (1980 TS3)" (2017-11-26 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
2. ^ "24626 Astrowizard (1980 TS3)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
3. ^ "Asteroid 24626 Astrowizard – 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.
5. "LCDB Data for (24626) Astrowizard". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 31 January 2018.
6. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 31 January 2018.

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 (20001)-(25000) – Minor Planet Center
• 24626 Astrowizard at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
  • Ephemeris · Observation prediction · Orbital info · Proper elements · Observational info
• 24626 Astrowizard 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 Carolyn S. Shoemaker
• Discoveries by Eugene Merle Shoemaker
• Named minor planets
• Astronomical objects discovered in 1980