4276 Clifford

4276 Clifford

Discovery [1]
Discovered by	E. Bowell
Discovery site	Lowell Observatory
Discovery date	2 December 1981
Designations
MPC designation	4276 Clifford
Named after	Clifford Cunningham
Alternative names	1981 XA
Minor planet category	Mars-crosser main belt
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc	12582 days (34.45 yr)
Aphelion	2.4189 AU (361.86 Gm)
Perihelion	1.6005 AU (239.43 Gm)
Semi-major axis	2.0097 AU (300.65 Gm)
Eccentricity	0.20362
Orbital period	2.85 yr (1040.6 d)
Mean anomaly	339.10°
Mean motion	0° 20^m 45.42^s / day
Inclination	21.026°
Longitude of ascending node	76.905°
Argument of perihelion	3.5162°
Earth MOID	0.615666 AU (92.1023 Gm)
Jupiter MOID	2.86197 AU (428.145 Gm)
Jupiter Tisserand parameter	3.725
Physical characteristics
Dimensions	7.5 km
Geometric albedo	0.15
Spectral type	Cb (SMASSII)
Absolute magnitude (H)	14.6

The asteroid 4276 Clifford (previously known by the provisional designation (1981 XA) was discovered on December 2, 1981 by Edward L. G. Bowell at Flagstaff Observatory. It was named in honor of astronomer/author Clifford Cunningham. It is a member of the group of Main belt asteroids known as Mars-crosser asteroids, specifically it is listed as an Outer-grazer.

References

1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 4276 Clifford (1981 XA)" (2015-09-24 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 14 April 2016.

External links

• JPL's Info page
• 4276 Clifford at the JPL Small-Body Database

• Discovery · Orbit diagram · Orbital elements · Physical parameters