17246 Christophedumas
A stony Koronian binary asteroid with a 1-km moon.
17246 Christophedumas is a stony asteroid belonging to the Koronis family, located in the outer main belt. It is also a binary system, with a diameter of roughly 4.6 kilometers. The asteroid was discovered on 5 April 2000 by the LINEAR survey at the Lincoln Laboratory Experimental Test Site near Socorro, New Mexico. It was later named for planetary scientist Christophe Dumas, who helped discover the first asteroid moon imaged from Earth. Its own moon was found in 2004.
The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.8 to 2.9 AU, completing one orbit every 4 years and 9 months. Its orbit is nearly circular, with an eccentricity of 0.02 and an inclination of about 2° relative to the ecliptic. The first observation of Christophedumas was actually a precovery image taken at Palomar Observatory in April 1971, 29 years before its official discovery.
On 9 January 2129, Christophedumas will pass within about 3.64 million kilometers of the large main-belt asteroid 3 Juno, moving at a relative speed of 6.597 km/s.
Christophedumas is thought to be a stony S-type asteroid. It has an albedo of 0.21, making it more reflective than most outer main-belt asteroids. Based on this albedo and an absolute magnitude of 13.9, its diameter is calculated at 4.81 kilometers. In December 2007, photometric observations by David Polishook and colleagues produced a lightcurve showing a rotation period of 10 hours and a brightness variation of 0.15 magnitude. The same team determined that the asteroid is not an Escaping Ejecta Binary, a type thought to form from impact debris.
The asteroid's moon, designated S/2004 (17246) 1, was discovered in 2004. Its diameter is about 1 kilometer, based on a primary diameter of 4.5 kilometers and a secondary-to-primary size ratio of 0.22. The moon orbits the primary once every 90 days (about 2,034 hours) at a distance of 228 kilometers. Its rotation period and orbital eccentricity are not known. From the surface of Christophedumas, the moon would appear about 0.668° across, slightly larger than Earth's Moon appears from Earth.
Quick Facts
- Minorplanet
- yes
- Background
- #D6D6D6
- Discovered
- 5 April 2000
- Discoverer
- LINEAR
- Discovery Site
- Lincoln Lab ETS
- Mpc Name
- (17246) Christophedumas
- Pronounced
- k · r · iː · s · t · ɔː · f · _ · dj · uː · ' · m · ɑː
- Named After
- Christophe Dumas / (planetary scientist)
- Mp Category
- main-beltKoronis
- Epoch
- 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
- Uncertainty
- 0
- Observation Arc
- 45.84 yr (16,742 days)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Christophedumas orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.8–2.9 AU once every 4 years and 9 months. Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.02 and an inclination of 2° with respect to the ecliptic. The asteroid's observation arc begins 29 years prior to its official discovery, with a precovery taken at Palomar Observatory in April 1971. On 9 January 2129, it will come within 3,639,998 kilometers of 3 Juno, one of the largest main-belt asteroids, passing with a relative velocity of 6.597 km/s. It is a presumed stony S-type asteroid with an albedo of 0.21, more reflective than most outer main-belt asteroids. A rotational lightcurve obtained in December 2007 by David Polishook and colleagues gave a rotation period of 10 hours with a brightness amplitude of 0.15 magnitude; the team also ruled out that Christophedumas might be an Escaping Ejecta Binary.
Reader's Guide
Christophedumas is notable as a binary asteroid within the Koronis family, a dynamical group of stony bodies in the outer main belt. Its moon, discovered in 2004 and designated S/2004 (17246) 1, measures approximately 1 kilometer in diameter based on a secondary-to-primary mean-diameter ratio of 0.22. The moon orbits every 90 days at a semi-major axis of 228 kilometers; from the surface of Christophedumas, it would appear slightly larger than the Moon does from Earth. The asteroid was named after Christophe Dumas, a planetary scientist and co-discoverer of the first asteroid moon imaged from Earth. The naming citation was published on 20 June 2016. The system's study has helped refine understanding of binary formation in the Koronis family, and the 2007 lightcurve analysis specifically excluded the possibility that it is an Escaping Ejecta Binary, a type thought to arise from disruptive impacts.
Did You Know?
- Christophedumas has a minor-planet moon discovered in 2004.
- The moon completes one orbit every 90 days at a distance of 228 km.
- On 9 January 2129, it will pass within 3,639,998 km of the large asteroid 3 Juno.
- The asteroid was named after planetary scientist Christophe Dumas, a co-discoverer of the first asteroid moon imaged from Earth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 17246 Christophedumas?
It is a stony asteroid belonging to the Koronis family in the outer main belt, roughly 4.6 kilometers in diameter. It also hosts a small companion moon about 1 kilometer across, making it a binary system.
Who is 17246 Christophedumas named after?
The asteroid honors planetary scientist Christophe Dumas, who helped identify the first natural satellite of an asteroid ever imaged from Earth. Fittingly, its own moon was later discovered in 2004.
What are 17246 Christophedumas's orbital and rotational characteristics?
It circles the Sun between roughly 2.8 and 2.9 AU, completing one full orbit in about 4 years and 9 months (1,748 days). The asteroid rotates on its axis once every 10 hours.
How was 17246 Christophedumas discovered?
The LINEAR survey team detected it on 5 April 2000 from the Lincoln Laboratory Experimental Test Site near Socorro, New Mexico. It initially carried the provisional designation 2000 GL74 before receiving its permanent number and name.
Why is 17246 Christophedumas notable among asteroids?
Beyond being a Koronis-family stony body, it stands out as a binary system whose roughly 1-kilometer moon was identified in 2004. Its namesake connection to the first Earth-observed asteroid moon discovery also gives it a unique place in planetary science history.
More in Notable Asteroids, Part 4 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced