Discovered by L. Kohoutek MPC designation 1861 Komenský Minor planet category main-belt · (outer) Absolute magnitude 11.7 Discoverer Luboš Kohoutek Asteroid group Asteroid belt | Discovery date 24 November 1970 Alternative names 1970 WB Discovered 24 November 1970 Orbits Sun Discovery site Hamburg Observatory | |
Named after John Amos Comenius
(Czech theologist) Similar Solar System, 1862 Apollo, Sun, Comet Kohoutek, 1865 Cerberus | ||
1861 Komenský, provisional designation 1970 WB, is an asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, estimated to measure approximately 15 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 24 November 1970, by Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek at the Bergedorf Observatory in Hamburg, Germany.
The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.8–3.2 AU once every 5 years and 3 months (1,917 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.06 and an inclination of 10° with respect to the ecliptic. Komenský's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation, as no precoveries and no previous identifications were made.
According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Komenský measures 14.8 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.158. Based on an absolute magnitude of 11.7, and assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25, the asteroid has a generic mean diameter of 12 to 28 kilometers. As of 2016, Komenský's composition, rotation period and shape remain unknown.
It was named in honor of Czech educational reformer and theologist, John Amos Comenius (1592–1670), known as Jan Amos Komenský in the original Czech language. He is considered the father of modern education and spend most of his life in exile. Naming citation was published before November 1977 (M.P.C. 3757).