2047 Smetana
Bright Hungaria binary asteroid named for Czech composer Bedřich Smetana.
2047 Smetana (1971 UA1) is a bright asteroid belonging to the Hungaria family, located in the innermost part of the asteroid belt. It is a synchronous binary system, roughly 3.5 kilometers across. Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek discovered it on 26 October 1971 at the Bergedorf Observatory in Hamburg, Germany. The asteroid is named for Czech composer Bedřich Smetana.
Smetana is part of the Hungaria group, the densest concentration of asteroids near the inner main belt. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.9 AU, completing one orbit every 936 days (about 2 years and 7 months). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.00 and an inclination of 25° relative to the ecliptic. The observation arc starts with its discovery at Bergedorf; no precovery images or prior identifications exist.
The asteroid is assumed to be an E-type. Between 2006 and 2012, American astronomer Brian Warner obtained rotational lightcurves from the Palmer Divide Observatory and the CS3–Palmer Divide Station. These gave a rotation period between 2.4801 and 2.498 hours, with brightness variations of 0.12 to 0.16 magnitude.
In 2012, Warner’s photometric observations revealed that Smetana is a synchronous binary asteroid with a moon. The satellite orbits the primary every 22.43 hours and is about 0.63 kilometers in diameter. However, the binary status is not yet fully confirmed, as observations in 2016 failed to clearly detect mutual occultation or eclipsing events.
According to NEOWISE data, Smetana has a diameter of 3.131 kilometers and a surface albedo of 0.544. The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes an albedo of 0.30—a compromise between 0.4 and 0.2, typical for Hungaria asteroids—and calculates a diameter of 3.85 kilometers based on an absolute magnitude of 14.0.
The minor planet was named for Czech composer Bedřich Smetana (1824–1884), known for the opera *The Bartered Bride*, the symphonic poem cycle *My Homeland*, and the string quartet *From My Life*. The naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 1 July 1979 (M.P.C. 4786).
Quick Facts
- Minorplanet
- yes
- Background
- #D6D6D6
- Discovered
- 26 October 1971
- Discoverer
- L. Kohoutek
- Discovery Site
- Bergedorf Obs.
- Mpc Name
- (2047) Smetana
- Pronounced
- ' · s · m · E · t · @ · n · @
- Named After
- Bedřich Smetana / (Czech composer)
- Mp Category
- main-belt(inner)Hungaria
- Epoch
- 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
- Uncertainty
- 0
- Observation Arc
- 44.77 yr (16,353 days)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
2047 Smetana is a bright member of the Hungaria family, which forms the innermost dense concentration of asteroids in the Solar System. It orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.9–1.9 AU once every 2 years and 7 months (936 days), with an eccentricity of 0.00 and an inclination of 25° with respect to the ecliptic. Its observation arc begins with its official discovery observation at Bergedorf, with no precoveries taken and no prior identifications made.
Physically, Smetana is an assumed E-type asteroid. Between 2006 and 2012, several rotational lightcurves were obtained by American astronomer Brian Warner at his Palmer Divide Observatory and CS3–Palmer Divide Station in Colorado and California, respectively. Lightcurve analysis gave a rotation period between 2.4801 and 2.498 hours with a brightness variation of between 0.12 and 0.16 magnitude.
During Warner's photometric observations in 2012, it was revealed that Smetana is a synchronous binary asteroid with an orbiting minor-planet moon. The satellite orbits its primary every 22.43 hours and measures approximately 0.63 kilometers in diameter. However, the binary status has not yet been confirmed unambiguously, since observations in 2016 could not clearly detect any mutual occultation and eclipsing events.
Reader's Guide
2047 Smetana holds significance as a binary asteroid within the Hungaria family, a dense inner-main-belt group. Its discovery in 1971 by Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek and its naming after Czech composer Bedřich Smetana connect it to cultural heritage. The 2012 detection of its sub-kilometer moon, though not yet unambiguously confirmed due to inconclusive 2016 observations, marks it as a candidate synchronous binary system. Diameter estimates vary: NEOWISE surveys give 3.131 km with an albedo of 0.544, while the Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes an albedo of 0.30 and calculates 3.85 km. Its rotation period and lightcurve data, gathered over six years by Brian Warner, contribute to understanding the physical properties of Hungaria asteroids. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 1 July 1979.
Did You Know?
- 2047 Smetana was discovered on 26 October 1971 by Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek at Bergedorf Observatory in Hamburg, Germany.
- It is a synchronous binary asteroid with a moon approximately 0.63 kilometers in diameter, discovered in 2012.
- It was named after Czech composer Bedřich Smetana, best known for the opera The Bartered Bride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who discovered 2047 Smetana and where?
Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek spotted the object on 26 October 1971 from the Bergedorf Observatory in Hamburg, Germany. It was initially catalogued under the provisional designation 1971 UA1 before receiving its permanent number and name.
Why is the asteroid called Smetana?
The name honors the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana, a foundational figure of Czech classical music. The naming follows the tradition of linking asteroids to notable cultural figures from the discoverer's or sponsoring country.
Where does 2047 Smetana orbit and how long does one trip around the Sun take?
Smetana circles the Sun at roughly 1.9 astronomical units, placing it in the innermost region of the main asteroid belt. One full orbit takes about 936 days, or a little over two and a half years.
What is 2047 Smetana's size and what makes its structure unusual?
The body measures approximately 3.5 kilometers in diameter and is notably bright for an asteroid. It is a synchronous binary system, meaning a companion object orbits it in a locked, tidally synchronized configuration.
What is the Hungaria family and why is 2047 Smetana's membership significant?
The Hungaria group is the densest cluster of asteroids hugging the inner edge of the main belt, closer to Mars than most belt members. Smetana's placement there makes it one of the more tightly packed inner-belt objects, and its bright surface gives it a distinctive appearance among its neighbors.
More in Notable Asteroids, Part 2 1-24
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