Discovered by E. Delporte MPC designation 3567 Alvema Discovered 15 November 1930 Orbits Sun Asteroid group Asteroid belt | Discovery date 15 November 1930 Minor planet category main-belt · (middle) Absolute magnitude 12.5 Discoverer Eugène Joseph Delporte | |
Named after (great-granddaughtersof discoverer) Alternative names 1930 VD · 1930 XO1930 XQ · 1967 SB1972 VN1 · 1972 XC21972 YD1 · 1978 EP4 Similar 2101 Adonis, 1221 Amor, Sun | ||
3567 Alvema, provisional designation 1930 VD, is a dark asteroid from the middle region of the asteroid belt, approximately 14 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by Belgian astronomer Eugène Delporte at the Royal Observatory of Belgium in Uccle, on 15 November 1930.
The X-type asteroid is classified as a Xc-subtype on the SMASS taxonomic scheme, while the NEOWISE mission of NASA's space-based Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer groups it into the P-type spectral class. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.9–3.7 AU once every 4 years and 8 months (1,699 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.31 and an inclination of 7° with respect to the ecliptic. No precoveries were taken prior to its discovery.
A rotational light-curve obtained from photometric observations made by French amateur astronomer Laurent Bernasconi in December 2014, gave a rotation period of 7000813000000000000♠8.13±0.01 with a brightness variation of 0.33 in magnitude (U=2+). The asteroid's first light-curve was reported by astronomer Darryl Sergison at the Gothers Observatory (J03), St. Dennis, United Kingdom, from observations made in November 2009. It showed a period of 7000812160000000000♠8.1216±0.0001 hours with an amplitude of 0.17 in magnitude (U=2).
According to the survey carried out by NEOWISE, the asteroid measures 13.8 and 14.5 kilometers in diameter and its surface has a low albedo of 0.031 and 0.047, respectively, while the Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes a standard albedo for carbonaceous asteroids of 0.057 and calculates a diameter of 14.0 kilometers.
The minor planet was named by the discoverer after Aline, Vérionique and Martine (Al-Ve-Ma), his three great-granddaughters, Aline De Middlelaer, and Vérionique and Martine Wark. Naming citation was published on 9 September 1995 (M.P.C. 25652).