Discovered by T. Smirnova MPC designation 2578 Saint-Exupéry Observation arc 64.47 yr (23,547 days) Orbits Sun Named after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry | Discovery date 2 November 1975 Minor planet category main-belt · Eos Discovered 2 November 1975 Discoverer Tamara Smirnova Asteroid family Eos family | |
Alternative names 1975 VW3 · 1952 HG2
1980 TA1 Discovery site Crimean Astrophysical Observatory Similar 45 Eugenia, Asteroid belt, 46610 Besixdouze, Sun, Solar System | ||
2578 Saint-Exupéry, provisional designation 1975 VW3, is an asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 17 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by Russian astronomer Tamara Smirnova at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Nauchnyj on 2 November 1975.
Saint-Exupéry is a member of the Eos family, which are well known for mostly being of stony composition with a relatively high albedo. The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.7–3.3 AU once every 5 years and 2 months (1,900 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.10 and an inclination of 11° with respect to the ecliptic. First identified as 1952 HG2 at McDonald Observatory in Texas, and also observed by the Palomar Observatory one month later in May 1952, the asteroid's observation arc was extended by 23 years prior to its official discovery observation.
According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, the asteroid measures 17.0 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.168. Based on its absolute magnitude of 11.5, its generic diameter is between 13 and 30 kilometers, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25.
As of 2016, Saint-Exupéry's effective composition, rotation period and shape remain unknown.
The minor planet was named in honour of French aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900–1944). The name is appropriate, as Saint-Exupéry's best-known character, The Little Prince, lives on an asteroid. In the book, the little prince's asteroid also has a unique code: B612, which does not a match the minor planet's provisional designation. However, there is another asteroid called 46610 Bésixdouze, which is French for "B-six-twelve" (B612 in hexadecimal notation equals 46610). Naming citation was published on 11 July 1987 (M.P.C. 12012).