Discovered by M. Griesser MPC designation 113390 Helvetia Minor planet category main-belt Aphelion 2.77 m Argument of perihelion 8.8044° Discovery site Eschenberg Observatory | Discovery date 29 September 2002 Alternative names 2002 SU19 · 2001 FS166 Discovered 29 September 2002 Inclination 7.3574° Discoverer Markus Griesser Asteroid group Asteroid belt | |
Named after Helvetia
(national personification) | ||
113390 Helvetia, provisional designation 2002 SU19, is an asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 2.2 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 29 September 2002, by Swiss astronomer Markus Griesser at the Eschenberg Observatory in Winterthur, near Zürich, Switzerland.
The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.8–2.8 AU once every 3 years and 6 months (1,276 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.20 and an inclination of 7° with respect to the ecliptic. The first precovery was taken at Palomar Observatory in 1960, extending the asteroid's observation arc by 42 years prior to its discovery. As of 2016, the asteroid's shape, composition and rotation period remain unknown.
Based on its absolute magnitude of 15.6, its diameter lies between 2 and 4 kilometers, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25. According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, the asteroid measures 2.2 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.231, which is typical for stony asteroids.
The minor planet was named in February 2006 and bears the name for Switzerland (Latin: Confoederatio Helvetica), where the asteroid was discovered. Helvetia is also an allegorical figure and symbol for the nation. Each Swiss stamp carries her name, and her figure appears on most Swiss coins. Naming citation was published on 19 February 2006 (M.P.C. 55989).