10140 Villon, provisional designation 1993 SX4, is a Nysian asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 19 September 1993, by Belgian astronomer Eric Elst at the CERGA Observatory at Caussols in France. It was named after 15th-century French poet François Villon.
Orbit and classification
Villon is member of the Nysa family (405), one of the largest asteroid families. It orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 2.1–2.7 AU once every 3 years and 9 months (1,375 days; semi-major axis of 2.42 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.13 and an inclination of 3° with respect to the ecliptic. The body's observation arc begins with its first observations as 1973 GZ at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in April 1973, more than 20 years prior to its official discovery observation at Caussols.
Physical characteristics
Villon's spectral type has not been determined, Based on its family classification and measured albedo (see below), it is likely a stony S-type asteroid. It has an absolute magnitude of 13.7. As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of Villon has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.
Diameter and albedo
According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Villon measures 4.785 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.280.
Naming
This minor planet was named after medieval French poet François Villon (1431–1463). The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 28 July 1999 (M.P.C. 35493).
References
External links
- Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB), query form (info Archived 16 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine)
- Dictionary of Minor Planet Names, Google books
- Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (10001)-(15000) – Minor Planet Center
- 10140 Villon at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
- Ephemeris · Observation prediction · Orbital info · Proper elements · Observational info
- 10140 Villon at the JPL Small-Body Database
