96747 Crespodasilva

96747 Crespodasilva
Discovery
Discovered by Lucy D’Escoffier Crespo da Silva
Discovery site Wallace Astrophysical Observatory
Discovery date 16 August 1999
Designations
Named after
 Lucy D’Escoffier Crespo da Silva
1999 QQ2
Main-belt Asteroid
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc 5404 days (14.80 yr)
Aphelion 3.1222180 AU (467.07716 Gm)
Perihelion 2.0598644 AU (308.15133 Gm)
2.5910412 AU (387.61425 Gm)
Eccentricity 0.20500517
4.17 yr (1523.4 d)
291.04763°
0.23631571°/day
Inclination 13.172986°
344.76531°
57.630540°
Earth MOID 1.09696 AU (164.103 Gm)
Jupiter MOID 2.4623 AU (368.35 Gm)
Physical characteristics
14.5

    96747 Crespodasilva is a main-belt asteroid discovered by Lucy D’Escoffier Crespo da Silva. While making observations, at the Wallace Astrophysical Observatory, August 16, 1999, she sighted this new asteroid.

    Crespo da Silva was working toward an undergraduate degree in earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences at MIT and was to have graduated in December 2000. She took her own life in November 2000.[2] Her area of specialization was observing light curves of minor planets.

    Typically, astronomers will name their discoveries after other notable people or each other, but an exception was made in this case. After her death, Richard P. Binzel, an MIT planetary sciences faculty member, suggested that the minor planet Crespo da Silva had discovered be named for her.[3] This exception was granted for her contribution to the field. The asteroid is now designated as 96747 Crespodasilva.[3]

    References

    1. ↑ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 96747 Crespodasilva (1999 QQ2)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
    2. ↑ Lucy Crespo da Silva, 22, a senior, dies in fall - MIT News Office
    3. 1 2 "96747 Crespodasilva". JPL Small-Body Database. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. SPK-ID: 96747.

    External links

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