1704 Wachmann


1704 Wachmann, provisional designation, is a stony asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 7 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth at Heidelberg Observatory on 7 March 1924. It was later named after astronomer Arno Wachmann.

Classification and orbit

The S-type asteroid orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 2.0–2.4 AU once every 3 years and 4 months. Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.09 and an inclination of 1° with respect to the ecliptic. No precoveries were taken. The asteroid's observation arc begins 3 days after its official discovery observation.

Physical characteristics

Lightcurves

In April 2007, a rotational lightcurve Wachmann was obtained at the U.S. Sandia View Observatory in New Mexico. Lightcurve analysis gave a well-defined rotation period of hours with a brightness variation of 0.40 magnitude.

Diameter and albedo

According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Wachmann measures 6.6 and 6.9 kilometers in diameter, and its surface has an albedo of 0.177 and 0.193, respectively, while the Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes a standard albedo for stony asteroids of 0.20 and calculates a diameter of 7.8 kilometers, based on an absolute magnitude of 12.9.

Naming

This minor planet was named for Arno Wachmann, long-time astronomer at the Bergedorf Observatory in Hamburg, discoverer of minor planets and comets, and observer of variable and binary stars. He is best known for the co-discovery of the three "Schwassmann–Wachmann" comets, 29P, 31P and 73P. The official was published by the Minor Planet Center on 20 February 1976.