7092 Cadmus

7092 Cadmus
Discovery [1]
Discovered byC. Shoemaker
E. Shoemaker
Discovery sitePalomar Obs.
Discovery date4 June 1992
Designations
(7092) Cadmus
Pronunciation/ˈkædməs/[2]
Named after
Cadmus
(Greek mythology)[3]
1992 LC
NEO · Apollo[1][4]
Alinda group
AdjectivesCadmean /kædˈmən/[5]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc36.17 yr (13,211 days)
Aphelion4.3037 AU
Perihelion0.7654 AU
2.5345 AU
Eccentricity0.6980
4.04 yr (1,474 days)
117.29°
Inclination17.811°
57.700°
93.833°
Earth MOID0.0972 AU · 37.9 LD
Physical characteristics
3±0.5 km (est. at 0.25)[6]
15.1[1]

7092 Cadmus, provisional designation 1992 LC, is a highly eccentric asteroid and near-Earth object of the Apollo group, approximately 3 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 4 June 1992, by American astronomer couple Carolyn and Eugene Shoemaker at Palomar Observatory in California, United States.[4] The asteroid was named after Cadmus from Greek mythology.[3]

Orbit and classification

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Cadmus orbits the Sun in the central main-belt at a distance of 0.8–4.3 AU once every 4.04 years (1,474 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.70 and an inclination of 18° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] It is a member of the Alinda group of asteroids with a 3:1 resonance with Jupiter that has excited the eccentricity of the orbit over the eons.[7]

Due to a precovery obtained at the Australian Siding Spring Observatory, the body's observation arc already begins in 1980.[4]

It has an Earth minimum orbit intersection distance of 0.0972 AU (14,500,000 km), which corresponds to 37.9 lunar distances.[1] On 7 December 2056, it will pass at 0.241 AU (36,100,000 km) from Earth.[8]

Physical characteristics

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As of 2016, the asteroid's effective size, its composition and albedo, as well as its rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1] Based on an absolute magnitude of 15.1, it measures between 3 and 6 kilometers in diameter, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25.[6] Since near-Earth asteroids are often of a silicaceous rather than of a carbonaceous composition, with higher albedos, typically above 0.20, the asteroid's diameter might be on the lower end of NASA's published conversion table, as the higher the body's reflectivity (albedo), the smaller its diameter, at a constant absolute magnitude (brightness).[6]

Naming

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This minor planet is named for Cadmus, the Phoenician prince, first king of Theben, and one of the greatest heroes before the days of Heracles. The minor planets 1873 Agenor, 52 Europa, 5731 Zeus, 881 Athene, 40 Harmonia and 1388 Aphrodite are named after related figures from Greek mythology.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 7092 Cadmus (1992 LC)" (2016-08-03 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  2. ^ "Cadmus". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(7092) Cadmus". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (7092) Cadmus. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 575. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_6276. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  4. ^ a b c "7092 Cadmus (1992 LC)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Cadmean". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  6. ^ a b c "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL. Archived from the original on 2 March 2001. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  7. ^ John S Lewis (3 August 2015). "The Alinda Family of Asteroids". Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  8. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser – Close-Approach Data". NASA. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
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