Discovered by C. Kowal MPC designation 1981 Midas Observation arc 41.97 yr (15,330 days) Aphelion 2.93 m Discoverer Charles T. Kowal Discovery site Palomar Observatory | Discovery date 6 March 1973 Alternative names 1973 EA Discovered 6 March 1973 Orbits Sun Named after Midas (Greek mythology) | |
Minor planet category Apollo · NEO · PHA
Venus crosser
Mars crosser Similar 2201 Oljato, 3362 Khufu, 4183 Cuno, 1865 Cerberus, 69230 Hermes | ||
1981 Midas, provisional designation 1973 EA, is a vestoid asteroid, classified as a near-Earth object and potentially hazardous asteroid, approximately 2 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 6 March 1973, by American astronomer Charles Kowal at Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California. In 1987 it was also detected by radar from Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex at a distance of 0.08 AU with a measured maximal radar cross-section of 0.1 km2.
The moderately bright V-type asteroid is also an Apollo asteroid, as well as a Venus and Mars-crosser. The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.6–2.9 AU once every 2 years and 4 months (865 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.65 and an inclination of 40° with respect to the ecliptic. It has a low minimum orbit intersection distance with Earth of 0.0036 AU (540,000 km; 330,000 mi), which corresponds to 1.5 lunar distance (Earth–Moon distance). However, it does not pose an impact risk for the foreseable future. Its last notable close approach to Earth was on 11 March 1992 passing 0.13332 AU (19,944,000 km; 12,393,000 mi) from Earth. The next notable close approach will be on 21 March 2018 passing 0.08957 AU (13,399,000 km; 8,326,000 mi) from Earth and shining at an apparent magnitude of +12.4. As no precoveries were taken, the asteroid's observation arc begins with its discovery observation at Palomar in 1973.
Three rotational light-curves obtained from photometric observations gave a concurring rotation period of 5.24 hours with a relatively high brightness variation of 0.65, 0.8 and 0.87 in magnitude, respectively (U=3/2/3). According to the survey carried out by the Japanese Akari satellite, the asteroid measures 1.95 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.293, while the Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes an albedo of 0.266 and calculates an identical diameter of 1.95 kilometers, based on an absolute magnitude of 15.6.
The asteroid is named after the figure from Greek mythology, Midas, the King of Phrygia, who turned whatever he touched to gold. He received this ability as an award, but soon realized that this gift was a curse when his daughter turned into a statue after he had touched her. Relieved of his power by bathing in the river Pactolus, other accounts also tell his death caused by starvation. Naming citation was published before November 1977 (M.P.C. 4237).