.png) A three-dimensional model of 306 Unitas based on its light curve | |
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Elia Millosevich |
| Discovery date | 1 March 1891 |
| Designations | |
| (306) Unitas | |
| Pronunciation | /ˈjuːnɪtæs/ |
| A891 EA | |
| Main belt | |
| Orbital characteristics[1] | |
| Epoch 31 July 2016 (JD 2457600.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
| Observation arc | 124.78 yr (45575 d) |
| Aphelion | 2.71480 AU (406.128 Gm) |
| Perihelion | 2.0009 AU (299.33 Gm) |
| 2.35785 AU (352.729 Gm) | |
| Eccentricity | 0.15139 |
| 3.62yr (1322.4d) | |
| 88.9729° | |
| 0° 16m 20.014s / day | |
| Inclination | 7.2779° |
| 141.912° | |
| 168.008° | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 46.70±2.3 km[1] 52.88 ± 3.48 km[2] |
| Mass | (5.33 ± 5.77) × 1017 kg[2] |
| 8.736 h (0.3640 d)[1] 8.73875 h[3] | |
| 0.2112±0.023[1] 0.211[4] | |
| S | |
| 8.96[1][4] | |
306 Unitas is a typicalmain beltasteroid that was discovered byElia Millosevich on 1 March 1891 inRome. The asteroid was named by the director of the Modena Observatory in honor of the Italian astronomerAngelo Secchi (author ofUnità delle forze fisiche)[5] and the unification of Italy. It is classified as anS-type asteroid.
In the late 1990s, a network of astronomers worldwide gatheredlight curve data that was ultimately used to derive the spin states and shape models of 10 new asteroids, including (306) Unitas. The computed shape model for this asteroid is regular, while the light curve displays two maxima per rotation.[3][6] Lightcurve data has also been recorded by observers at the Antelope Hill Observatory, which has been designated as an official observatory by theMinor Planet Center.[7]
Measurements of thethermal inertia of 306 Unitas give an estimate range from 100 to 260 m−2 K−1 s−1/2, compared to 50 forlunar regolith and 400 for coarse sand in an atmosphere.[4]
Although 306 Unitas has an orbit similar to theVesta family asteroids, it was found to be an unrelatedinterloper on the basis of its non-matchingspectral type.[citation needed]
_mathilde.jpg) | This article about an S-type asteroid native to theasteroid belt is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |
