Discovered by E. F. Helin MPC designation 6250 Saekohayashi Orbits Sun | Discovery date 2 November 1991 Alternative names 1991 VX1 · 1983 VP5 Discovered 2 November 1991 Discoverer Eleanor F. Helin Asteroid group Asteroid belt | |
Named after Saeko Hayashi(astronomer) Similar 4015 Wilson–Harrington, Sun, 6489 Golevka, 9969 Braille, 4769 Castalia | ||
6250 Saekohayashi, provisional designation 1991 VX1, is a bright Hungaria asteroid and relatively slow rotator from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, about 3.7 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by American astronomer Eleanor Helin at the U.S. Palomar Observatory, California, on 2 November 1991.
The stony E-type asteroid is a member of the Hungaria family, which form the innermost dense concentration of asteroids in the Solar System. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.8–2.1 AU once every 2 years and 8 months (982 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.07 and an inclination of 20° with respect to the ecliptic. The first precovery was taken at Karl Schwarzschild Observatory in 1983, extending the asteroid's observation arc by 8 years prior to its discovery.
In 2009, a photometric light-curve analysis by Brian Warner at the U.S. Palmer Divide Observatory, Colorado, rendered a long rotation period of 7001826000000000000♠82.6±0.5 hours with an brightness amplitude of 0.78 in magnitude (U=2+). The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes a high albedo of 0.30, typical for E-type members this asteroid family, and calculates a diameter of 3.7 kilometers.
The minor planet was named after Japanese astronomer Saeko S. Hayashi (b. 1958), associate professor at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, who works with the Subaru Telescope. Her research includes the formation processes of planetary systems. She is also dedicated to the popularization of astronomy in Hawaii and Japan and is an active member of the International Astronomical Union. Naming citation was published 15 February 1995 (M.P.C. 24730).