Discovered by S. Arend Discovered 5 October 1950 Asteroid group Asteroid belt | Discovery date 5 October 1950 Orbits Sun | |
Alternative names 1950 TD · 1934 RG1944 OE · 1950 RG1950 TQ1 · 1952 BF11960 QC · 1970 OA People also search for Sun, 1579 Herrick, 49P/Arend–Rigaux | ||
1887 Virton, provisional designation 1950 TD, is a stony Eoan asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 21 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by Belgian astronomer Sylvain Arend at Royal Observatory of Belgium in Uccle on 5 October 1950.
The S-type asteroid is a member of the Eos family. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.7–3.3 AU once every 5 years and 3 months (1,902 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.11 and an inclination of 10° with respect to the ecliptic. Virton's observation arc begins with its discovery observations, as previous observations at Johannesburg Observatory, Crimea-Simeis, and Iso-Heikkilä Observatory remained unused.
According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Virton measures between 20.8 and 22.2 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.109–0.124. The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes an albedo of 0.14 and calculates a diameter of 21.4 kilometers based on an absolute magnitude of 11.1. As of 2016, Virton's rotation period and shape remain unknown.
The minor planet was named after the town and capital district, Virton, in the southernmost part Belgium. It is located very close to Robelmont, Arend's birthplace (also see 1145 Robelmonte). Naming citation was published on 22 September 1983 (M.P.C. 8151).