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39741 Komm (provisional designation 1997 AT₆) is a stony asteroid and eccentric Mars-crosser from the innermost regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 2 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 9 January 1997, by American astronomer Roy Tucker at Goodricke-Pigott Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The asteroid was named for American helioseismologist Rudolf Komm.

Orbit and classification

Komm orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.4–2.9 AU once every 3 years and 3 months (1,178 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.35 and an inclination of 6° with respect to the ecliptic. As no precoveries were taken, the asteroid's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation.

Physical characteristics

Rotation and shape

In October 2009, the first and so far only rotational lightcurve of Komm was obtained by French amateur astronomer René Roy. It gave a well-defined rotation period of 5.95±0.01 hours with a high brightness variation of 0.83 magnitude, indicative of a non-spheroidal shape (U=3).

Diameter and albedo

The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes a standard albedo for stony asteroids of 0.20 and calculates a diameter of 2.15 kilometers with an absolute magnitude of 15.7.

Naming

This minor planet was named after Rudolf Walter Komm (born 1957), an American helioseismologist, who contributed in the study of solar activity. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 6 August 2003 (M.P.C. 49283).

References

1. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 39741 Komm (1997 AT6)" (2017-03-03 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
2. ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). "(39741) Komm [2.18, 0.35, 6.3]". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (39741) Komm, Addendum to Fifth Edition: 2003–2005. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 206. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-34361-5_2433. ISBN 978-3-540-34361-5.
3. ^ "LCDB Data for (39741) Komm". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 17 November 2016.
4. ^ "39741 Komm (1997 AT6)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
5. ^ Behrend, Raoul. "Asteroids and comets rotation curves – (39741) Komm". Geneva Observatory. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
6. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 17 November 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 (1)-(5000) – Minor Planet Center
• 39741 Komm at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
  • Ephemeris · Observation prediction · Orbital info · Proper elements · Observational info
• 39741 Komm at the JPL Small-Body Database
  • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit viewer · Orbit parameters · Physical parameters

• Minor planet object articles (numbered)
• Mars-crossing asteroids
• Discoveries by Roy A. Tucker
• Named minor planets
• Astronomical objects discovered in 1997