1944 Günter, provisional designation 1925 RA, is an asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 5 kilometers in diameter.

1944 Günter
Discovery[1]
Discovered byK. Reinmuth
Discovery siteHeidelberg Obs.
Discovery date14 September 1925
Designations
(1944) Günter
Named after
Günter Reinmuth
(son of discoverer)[2]
1925 RA · 1972 TY3
main-belt · (inner)
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc91.52 yr (33,426 days)
Aphelion2.7709 AU
Perihelion1.7080 AU
2.2394 AU
Eccentricity0.2373
3.35 yr (1,224 days)
166.20°
0° 17m 38.76s / day
Inclination5.4892°
212.44°
124.82°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions4.905±0.070 km[3]
0.117±0.015[3]
13.8[1]

It was discovered on 14 September 1925, by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth at Heidelberg Observatory in southern Germany, and named after the discoverer's son, Günter Reinmuth.[2][4]

Orbit and classification

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Günter orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.7–2.8 AU once every 3 years and 4 months (1,224 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.24 and an inclination of 5° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] As no precoveries were taken and no prior identifications were made, the body's observation arc begins at Heidelberg, one night after its official discovery observation.[4]

Physical characteristics

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According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Günter measures 4.9 kilometers in diameter, and its surface has an albedo of 0.117.[3] As of 2017, its composition, rotation period and shape remain unknown.[1][5]

Naming

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This minor planet was named by Karl Reinmuth after his son, Günter Reinmuth.[2] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 18 April 1977 (M.P.C. 4157).[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 1944 Gunter (1925 RA)" (2017-03-21 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1944) Günter". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1944) Günter. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 156. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1945. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  3. ^ a b c Masiero, Joseph R.; Mainzer, A. K.; Grav, T.; Bauer, J. M.; Cutri, R. M.; Dailey, J.; et al. (November 2011). "Main Belt Asteroids with WISE/NEOWISE. I. Preliminary Albedos and Diameters". The Astrophysical Journal. 741 (2): 20. arXiv:1109.4096. Bibcode:2011ApJ...741...68M. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/741/2/68. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b "1944 Gunter (1925 RA)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  5. ^ "LCDB Data for (1944) Günter". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  6. ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2009). "Appendix – Publication Dates of the MPCs". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – Addendum to Fifth Edition (2006–2008). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 221. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-01965-4. ISBN 978-3-642-01964-7.
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