Discovered by L. Brožek MPC designation 2613 Plzeň Minor planet category main-belt · (outer) Absolute magnitude 11.4 Asteroid group Asteroid belt | Discovery date 30 August 1979 Alternative names 1979 QE · 1969 XA Discovered 30 August 1979 Orbits Sun | |
Named after Plzeň (city, aka: Pilsen) People also search for Sun, 3419 Guth, 3102 Krok | ||
2613 Plzeň, provisional designation 1979 QE, is an asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 28 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 30 August 1979, by Czech astronomer Ladislav Brožek at the South Bohemian Kleť Observatory in the Czech Republic.
Plzeň orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.9–3.2 AU once every 5 years and 4 months (1,937 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.05 and an inclination of 13° with respect to the ecliptic. It was first identified as 1969 XA at Crimea-Nauchnij in 1969. However, Plzeň's observation arc begins with its discovery observation in 1979, as its first identification remained unused.
According to three observations made by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS and based on observations made by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, the asteroid measures 28.0 and 28.2 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.074 and 0.077, which is a typical albedo carbonaceous asteroids. Based on its absolute magnitude of 11.4, its diameter could be anywhere between 13 and 32 kilometers, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25.
As of 2016, Plzeň's spectral type, surface composition, rotation period and shape remain unknown.
The minor planet was named in honour of the Czech city of Plzeň, internationally better known as "Pilsen", birthplace of the discoverer, industrial and cultural center of West Bohemia, and known worldwide for its Pilsner beer. Naming citation was published on 28 January 1983 (M.P.C. 7619).