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7648 Tomboles
7648 Tomboles, provisional designation 1989 TB1, is a background asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 8 October 1989, by Japanese astronomers Yoshikane Mizuno and Toshimasa Furuta at the Kani Observatory in Kani, Japan. The asteroid was named after Scottish amateur astronomer Tom Boles.[1] Orbit and classificationTomboles is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population.[3] It orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.9–2.4 AU once every 3 years and 2 months (1,157 days; semi-major axis of 2.16 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.11 and an inclination of 3° with respect to the ecliptic.[2] The body's observation arc begins with its first observation as 1981 CE at the Klet Observatory in February 1981.[1] Physical characteristicsTomboles has an absolute magnitude of 14.3.[1][2] While its spectral type is unknown, it is likely a stony S-type asteroid based on the albedo (see below) derived from observations with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of this asteroid has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.[2] Diameter and albedoAccording to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's WISE telescope, Tomboles measures 3.91 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.20.[4] NamingThis minor planet was named after Scottish amateur astronomer Tom Boles (born 1944) a discoverer of a minor planet (also see 84417 Ritabo) and a record-number of supernovae, using a robotic telescope at Coddenham Observatory (234) in Coddenham, Suffolk, in eastern England. Boles has been the President of the British Astronomical Association from 2003 to 2005.[1] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 13 November 2008 (M.P.C. 64311).[5] References
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