Discovered by W. Liller MPC designation 2449 Kenos Discovered 8 April 1978 Orbits Sun | Discovery date 8 April 1978 Alternative names 1978 GC Absolute magnitude 14.26 | |
Named after Kenos (Selknam mythology) Similar 2577 Litva, Solar System, 1862 Apollo, 5261 Eureka, Sun | ||
2449 Kenos, provisional designation 1978 GC, is a bright Hungaria asteroid and medium-sized Mars-crosser from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 3 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by American astronomer William Liller at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, on 8 April 1978.
The E-type asteroid is a member of the Hungaria family, which form the innermost dense concentration of asteroids in the Solar System. Kenos orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.6–2.2 AU once every 2 years and 8 months (963 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.17 and an inclination of 25° with respect to the ecliptic. Based on assumption made by the Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link, the body has a high albedo of 0.4, which is typical for E-type asteroids with a magnesium silicate surface (also see Enstatite chondrite).
Observations performed at the Palmer Divide Observatory in Colorado Springs, Colorado during 2007 produced a light-curve with a period of 7000384920000000000♠3.8492±0.0008 hours and a brightness range of 6999200000000000000♠0.20±0.03 in magnitude. Two more recent observations confirmed the 3.85-hour period.
The minor planet was named after Kenos, the first man in the Selknam mythology of the Native Americans of Tierra del Fuego, sent by the Supreme Being to bring order into the world. He created the human race by using peat to make male and female organs, taught them language and instructed them in rules to fashion a harmonious society. Naming citation was published on 6 February 1993 (M.P.C. 21606).