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Kin Endate
is a Japanese amateur astronomer who has discovered hundreds of asteroids, most of them in collaboration with Kazuro Watanabe, placing him among the most prolific discoverers of minor planets. Career in astronomy Kin Endate was born in Iwaizumi in Iwate Prefecture and went to Hokkaido Designers School to study photography. He began taking astrophotos in high school, but did not begin serious asteroid observations until 1986. His notable discoveries include the minor planets (5648) 1990 VU1 and 6500 Kodaira, a Jupiter trojan and the Mars-crosser, respectively. He also recorded the first known precovery images of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with his private diameter telescope on March 15, 1993, ten days before the official discovery of the comet. Kin, who was looking specifically for asteroids, did not know of the comet in his images until after the official discovery. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Minor Planet
According to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), a minor planet is an astronomical object in direct orbit around the Sun that is exclusively classified as neither a planet nor a comet. Before 2006, the IAU officially used the term ''minor planet'', but that year's meeting reclassified minor planets and comets into dwarf planets and small Solar System bodies (SSSBs).Press release, IAU 2006 General Assembly: Result of the IAU Resolution votes International Astronomical Union, August 24, 2006. Accessed May 5, 2008. Minor planets include asteroids ( |
Minor Planet Circulars
The Minor Planet Center (MPC) is the official body for observing and reporting on minor planets under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Founded in 1947, it operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Function The Minor Planet Center is the official worldwide organization in charge of collecting observational data for minor planets (such as asteroids), calculating their orbits and publishing this information via the '' Minor Planet Circulars''. Under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), it operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, which is part of the Center for Astrophysics along with the Harvard College Observatory. The MPC runs a number of free online services for observers to assist them in observing minor planets and comets. The complete catalogue of minor planet orbits (sometimes referred to as the "Minor Planet Catalogue") may also be freely downloaded. In addition to astrometric data, the MPC collect ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
14436 Morishita
14436 Morishita, provisional designation , is a stony background asteroid and exceptionally slow rotator from the middle region of the asteroid belt The asteroid belt is a torus-shaped region in the Solar System, located roughly between the orbits of the planets Jupiter and Mars. It contains a great many solid, irregularly shaped bodies, of many sizes, but much smaller than planets, called ..., approximately 5 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 23 March 1992, by Japanese astronomers Kin Endate and Kazuro Watanabe at Kitami Observatory in Japan, and named after amateur astronomer Yoko Morishita (astronomer), Yoko Morishita. Orbit and classification ''Morishita'' is a S-type asteroid that orbits the Sun in the Kirkwood gap, central main-belt at a distance of 2.0–3.2 Astronomical unit, AU once every 4 years and 2 months (1,508 days). Its orbit has an orbital eccentricity, eccentricity of 0.22 and an orbital inclination, inclination of 2Degree (angle), ° w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
11949 Kagayayutaka
11949 Kagayayutaka, provisional designation ', is a stony background asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately in diameter. It was discovered on 19 September 1993, by Japanese amateur astronomers Kin Endate and Kazuro Watanabe at Kitami Observatory in eastern Hokkaidō, Japan. The asteroid was named after Japanese artist Kagaya Yutaka. Orbit and classification ''Kagayayutaka'' is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population. It orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.5–3.6 AU once every 5 years and 5 months (1,984 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.18 and an inclination of 8 ° with respect to the ecliptic. The body's observation arc starts with its official discovery observation. Naming This minor planet was named after Kagaya Yutaka (born 1968), a Japanese space and digital artist and receiver of the Gold Medal in the American Digital Art Contest in 2000. The approved naming citation was publish ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
9971 Ishihara
9971 Ishihara ( ''prov. designation'': ) is a stony Flora asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately in diameter. It was discovered by Japanese amateur astronomers Kin Endate and Kazuro Watanabe at Kitami Observatory on 16 April 1993, and named after Takahiro Ishihara, president of the astronomical society at Hiroshima. Orbit and classification ''Ishihara'' is a member of the Flora family, one of the largest families of stony asteroids in the asteroid belt. It orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.9–2.4 AU once every 3 years and 3 months (1,177 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.12 and an inclination of 3 ° with respect to the ecliptic. It was first identified as at Karl Schwarzschild Observatory in 1991, extending the body's observation arc by approximately 2 years prior to its official discovery at Kitami. Naming This minor planet was named after Takahiro Ishihara (born 1961), an observer of comets, co ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
6980 Kyusakamoto
6980 Kyusakamoto, provisional designation , is a stony Koronis asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 9 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered by Japanese astronomers Kin Endate and Kazuro Watanabe at Kitami Observatory on 16 September 1993. The asteroid was named after Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto. Orbit and classification ''Kyusakamoto'' is a member of the Koronis family, which is named after 158 Koronis and consists of about 300 known bodies with nearly ecliptical orbits. It orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.7–3.0 AU once every 4 years and 9 months (1,743 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.05 and an inclination of 3 ° with respect to the ecliptic. In November 1979, it was first identified as at Crimea–Nauchnij, extending the body's observation arc by 14 years prior to its official discovery observation at Kitami. Physical characteristics Rotation period In August 2012, a rotational light ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
6498 Ko
6498 Ko, provisional designation , is a stony Flora asteroid and exceptionally slow rotator from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 4 kilometers in diameter. The asteroid was discovered on 26 October 1992, by Japanese amateur astronomers Kin Endate and Kazuro Watanabe at Kitami Observatory on eastern Hokkaidō, Japan. It was named for Japanese scientist Ko Nagasawa. Orbit and classification ''Ko'' is a member of the Flora family, one of the largest groups of stony asteroids in the main-belt. It orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.9–2.7 AU once every 3 years and 5 months (1,258 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.17 and an inclination of 8 ° with respect to the ecliptic. A first precovery was taken at Palomar Observatory in 1954, extending the asteroid's observation arc by 38 years prior to its discovery. Minor-planet close approaches Although ''Ko'' does not cross the orbit of any planet, it does make close appro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
6247 Amanogawa
6247 Amanogawa, provisional designation , is a background asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately in diameter. It was discovered on 21 November 1990, by Japanese amateur astronomers Kin Endate and Kazuro Watanabe at the Kitami Observatory. The X-type asteroid has a rotation period of 12.38 hours. It was named after the Amanogawa River on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. Orbit and classification ''Amanogawa'' is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population. It orbits the Sun in the inner asteroid belt at a distance of 2.3–2.5 AU once every 3 years and 9 months (1,353 days; semi-major axis of 2.39 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.06 and an inclination of 9 ° with respect to the ecliptic. The body's observation arc begins with a precovery at Palomar Observatory on 14 November 1990, just one week prior to its official discovery observation at Kitami. Physical characteristics In the SDSS-based taxonomy, ''Amano ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
6144 Kondojiro
6144 Kondojiro () is an asteroid discovered on March 14, 1994 by Kin Endate and Kazuro Watanabe at the Kitami Observatory in eastern Hokkaidō, Japan. It is named after Jiro Kondo, a Japanese Egyptologist and professor of archaeology at Waseda University. Orbit and classification The orbit of 6144 Kondojiro is unusual for a number of reasons, including: * An eccentricity greater than 0.3, * A semi-major axis between that of an outer main-belt asteroid (3.2 AU < a < 4.6 AU) and a (4.6 AU < a < 5.5 AU), * A relatively low inclination for a Jupiter-crossing minor planet, and * A lack of |
5692 Shirao
5692 Shirao, provisional designation , is a stony Eunomia asteroid from the middle region of the asteroid belt, approximately 9 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 23 March 1992, by Japanese amateur astronomers Kin Endate and Kazuro Watanabe at Kitami Observatory, Hokkaidō, Japan. The asteroid was later named for Japanese geologist and astrophotographer Motomaro Shirao. Orbit and classification ''Shirao'' is a member of the Eunomia family, a large group of stony asteroids and the most prominent family in the intermediate main-belt. It orbits the Sun in the central main-belt at a distance of 2.2–3.1 AU once every 4 years and 4 months (1,580 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.18 and an inclination of 12 ° with respect to the ecliptic. In 1949, it was first identified as at Goethe Link Observatory. The body's observation arc begins in 1955, with a precovery at Palomar Observatory, 37 years prior to its official discovery observation at Kitami. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
5481 Kiuchi
5481 Kiuchi, provisional designation ', is a bright binary Vestian asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately in diameter. It was discovered on 15 February 1990, by Japanese astronomers Kin Endate and Kazuro Watanabe at Kitami Observatory in Hokkaidō, Japan, and named after their colleague Tsuruhiko Kiuchi. The V-type asteroid has a rotation period of 3.6 hours. Family and orbit ''Kiuchi'' is a bright core member of the Vesta family, one of the main-belt's largest families. It orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 2.2–2.5 AU once every 3 years and 7 months (1,307 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.06 and an inclination of 6 ° with respect to the ecliptic. It was first identified as ' at Crimea–Nauchnij in 1970, extending the body's observation arc by 20 years prior to its official discovery observation at Kitami. Naming This minor planet was named in honor of Japanese amateur astronomer and discoverer of comets, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
5331 Erimomisaki
5331 Erimomisaki, provisional designation , is a background asteroid on an eccentric orbit from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately in diameter. It was discovered on 27 January 1990, by Japanese amateur astronomers Kin Endate and Kazuro Watanabe at the Kitami Observatory on Hokkaidō, Japan. The asteroid has a longer-than-average rotation period of 24.26 hours. It was named after Cape Erimo at the southern tip of Hokkaidō. Orbit and classification ''Erimomisaki'' is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population. It orbits the Sun in the central main-belt at a distance of 1.7–3.8 AU once every 4 years and 7 months (1,678 days; semi-major axis of 2.76 AU). Its orbit has a relatively high eccentricity of 0.39 and an inclination of 12 ° with respect to the ecliptic. The body's observation arc begins with its first observation as at Crimea–Nauchnij in December 1984, more than 5 years prior to its official discovery observa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
