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2905 Plaskett
2905 Plaskett, provisional designation 1982 BZ2, is a stony Gefionian asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 10 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 24 January 1982, by American astronomer Edward Bowell at the Anderson Mesa Station near Flagstaff, Arizona.[6] The asteroid was named after Canadian astronomers John Stanley Plaskett and Harry Hemley Plaskett.[2][3] Orbit and classificationPlaskett is a member of the Gefion family (516),[4] a large intermediate belt family, named after 1272 Gefion.[7]: 23 It orbits the Sun in the central main-belt at a distance of 2.5–3.1 AU once every 4 years and 8 months (1,716 days; semi-major axis of 2.80 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.09 and an inclination of 9° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] The body's observation arc begins with its first observation as 1973 FP at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in March 1973, almost 9 years prior to its official discovery observation at Anderson Mesa.[6] Physical characteristicsIn the SMASS classification, Plaskett is a stony S-type asteroid,[1] which corresponds to the overall spectral type of Gefionian asteroids.[7]: 23 Diameter and albedoAccording to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Plaskett measures 10.224 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.273.[5] Rotation periodAs of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Plaskett has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, shape and poles remain unknown.[8] NamingThis minor planet was named in memory of Canadian astronomer John Stanley Plaskett (1865–1941) and his son Harry Hemley Plaskett (1893–1980).[2][3] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 10 September 1984 (M.P.C. 9081).[9] References
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