Discovered by A. R. Klemola Observation arc 42.59 yr (15,555 days) Aphelion 3.46 m Discoverer Arnold Richard Klemola | Discovery date 7 September 1972 Alternative names 1972 RA Discovered 7 September 1972 Orbits Sun | |
Minor planet category NEO · AmorMars-crosser Similar 4954 Eric, 2201 Oljato, Sun, 1627 Ivar, Solar System | ||
2202 Pele, provisional designation 1972 RA, is a small and eccentric asteroid, classified as a near-Earth object, approximately between 1 and 2 kilometers in diameter. It is an Amor asteroid, the second largest subgroup of near-Earth objects, that approach the orbit of Earth from beyond, but does not cross it. Pele was discovered by American astronomer Arnold Klemola at the U.S. Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, California, on 7 September 1972.
Since the asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.1–3.5 AU once every 3 years and 6 months (1,265 days), it crosses the orbit of Mars, which also makes it a Mars-crosser. Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.51 and an inclination of 9° with respect to the ecliptic. For a near-Earth object, it has a relatively large Earth minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) of 0.1463 AU (21,890,000 km), or 60 lunar distances. No precoveries were taken. The asteroid's observation arc starts two days after the official discovery observation.
As of 2017, Pele's effective size, composition, and albedo, as well as its rotation period and shape remain unknown. Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, which assumes an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25, it measures between 1 and 2 kilometers.
The minor planet was named after Pele, the goddess of fire, lightning, and volcanoes from Hawaiian mythology. Pele created the Hawaiian Islands and made Kīlauea her home, after she was forced to go away by her rival sister and goddess of the sea, Nāmaka. Naming citation was published on 1 June 1980 (M.P.C. 5360).