1271 Isergina

1271 Isergina, provisional designation 1931 TN, is a carbonaceous background asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 45 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 10 October 1931, by Soviet astronomer Grigory Neujmin at the Simeiz Observatory on the Crimean peninsula. The asteroid was named after Crimean physician and friend of the discoverer, Pyotr Isergin.

1271 Isergina: Overview

1271 Isergina, provisional designation 1931 TN, is a carbonaceous background asteroid located in the outer regions of the asteroid belt, measuring approximately 45 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on October 10, 1931, by the Soviet astronomer Grigory Neujmin at the Simeiz Observatory on the Crimean peninsula. The asteroid is named in honor of Pyotr Isergin, a Crimean physician and friend of the discoverer.

Orbit and Classification

Isergina is classified as a non-family asteroid, part of the main belt’s background population. It orbits the Sun within a distance of 2.8–3.5 AU every 5 years and 7 months (2,039 days), having a semi-major axis of 3.15 AU. Its orbit is characterized by an eccentricity of 0.12 and an inclination of 7° with respect to the ecliptic.

The asteroid was initially identified as A906 HD at the Heidelberg Observatory in April 1906, with its observation arc commencing at Simeiz during its official discovery in 1931.

Physical Characteristics

In the SMASS classification, Isergina is categorized as a carbonaceous C-type asteroid. Additionally, it has been characterized as both X-type and L-type based on Pan-STARRS photometric survey results.

Rotation Period

Between 2016 and 2017, three rotational lightcurves were obtained through photometric observations (U=3-/3-/2+). Analysis of the lightcurves indicated a rotation period of 7.59932 hours with a brightness amplitude ranging from 0.25 to 0.36 magnitude (U=3-).

Diameter and Albedo

Measurements from the Japanese Akari satellite and NASA’s NEOWISE mission indicate that Isergina has a diameter between 39.58 and 52.15 kilometers, with a surface albedo ranging from 0.031 to 0.08. The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link provides an estimated albedo of 0.0677 and a diameter of 44.47 kilometers, derived from an absolute magnitude of 10.3.

Naming

This minor planet was named after Pyotr Vasilyevich Isergin (1870–1936), a Crimean physician and friend to the discoverer who was treated by him. The naming circumstances were noted by Crimean astronomers I. I. Neyachenko and Galina Kastelʹ. The official naming citation was documented in The Names of the Minor Planets by Paul Herget in 1955 (H 117).

References

  • Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB), query form
  • Dictionary of Minor Planet Names, Google books
  • Asteroids and comets rotation curves, CdR – Observatoire de Genève, Raoul Behrend
  • Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (1)-(5000) – Minor Planet Center
  • 1271 Isergina at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
  • 1271 Isergina at the JPL Small-Body Database