Discovered by F. Hormuth MPC designation 342843 Davidbowie Minor planet category main-belt Absolute magnitude 17.1 Discovery site Calar Alto Observatory | Discovery date 21 December 2008 Alternative names 2008 YN3 · 2003 SG99 Discovered 21 December 2008 Discoverer Felix Hormuth Minor planet category Asteroid belt | |
Named after David Bowie
(singer-songwriter) People also search for Asteroid belt, 189202 Calar Alto | ||
342843 Davidbowie, provisional designation 2008 YN3, is a small asteroid from the middle region of the asteroid belt, approximately 2 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 21 December 2008, by German astronomer Felix Hormuth from Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy at Calar Alto Observatory in Almería, southeastern Spain.
The asteroid orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.5–3.0 AU once every 4 years and 7 months (1,664 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.09 and an inclination of 3° with respect to the ecliptic. Notably, the asteroid had a close encounter with the 200 kilometer-sized asteroid 16 Psyche, one of the most massive bodies in the main-belt, which it passed at only 0.04 AU (6,000,000 km) on 15 May 1935. It was first identified as 2003 SG99 at Steward Observatory (Kitt Peak) in 2003, extending the asteroid's observation arc by 5 years prior to its discovery observation.
As of 2017, the asteroid's effective size, its composition, albedo and rotation period remain unknown. It has, however, a well-observed orbit with the lowest possible condition code and an observation arc that spans over a period of more than a decade. It was first observed in 2003, but not identified as a new asteroid until 2008. Based on its absolute magnitude of 17.1, its diameter is between 1 and 2 kilometers, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25. Since most asteroids in the outer main-belt are of a carbonaceous rather than of a silicaceous composition, with a low albedo, typically around 0.05, the asteroid's diameter might be on the upper end of NASA's published conversion table, as the lower the albedo (reflectivity), the larger the body's diameter for its given absolute magnitude (brightness).
The minor planet was named on 5 January 2015 (M.P.C. 91793), in honor of British singer, songwriter, producer and actor, David Bowie (1947–2016), just 3 days before Bowie's 68th birthday. Considered to be one of the most influential artists, Bowie released more than 25 albums including The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. He was also an actor in movies such as Labyrinth and The Prestige.