The Forgotten Asteroid: The Tale Of 719 Albert

Introduction

In the vastness of the solar system, asteroids are abundant and diverse. Some are well-known, like Ceres, Vesta, and Pallas, while others remain largely unknown and forgotten. One of these forgotten asteroids is 719 Albert, a small rocky body orbiting between Mars and Jupiter. Although it was discovered over a century ago, very little is known about this intriguing asteroid.

History of the Discovery of 719 Albert

The Discovery

719 Albert was discovered on November 3, 1911, by Johann Palisa, an Austrian astronomer and prolific discoverer of asteroids. Palisa named the asteroid after Albert J. Nickerson, who was then the Director of the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C.

The Physical Characteristics

Very little is known about the physical characteristics of 719 Albert. It is estimated to be around 10 kilometers in diameter and has a dark surface with a low albedo, meaning that it does not reflect much sunlight. Based on its orbit, 719 Albert is believed to be a member of the Eunomia family, a group of asteroids that share similar orbital properties.

Observations and Studies

After its discovery, 719 Albert was observed in subsequent decades, but few scientific studies have been conducted on this asteroid. In 1949, the asteroid was included in a photometric survey to measure its brightness variations, but the results were inconclusive. In 1996, 719 Albert was observed by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), which detected thermal emission from the asteroid. This observation suggested that 719 Albert could have a dark, carbon-rich surface.

Why Has 719 Albert Been Forgotten?

Lack of Interest

One reason that 719 Albert has been forgotten is simply that it is not particularly interesting to astronomers. It is relatively small, not very bright, and lacks any significant features or anomalies. Furthermore, the lack of detailed information about its physical properties makes it a less attractive target for study.

Competition from Other Discoveries

In the early 20th century, when 719 Albert was discovered, there was intense competition among astronomers to discover new asteroids. This competition fueled a rapid rate of discovery, with thousands of new asteroids being cataloged in just a few decades. With so many new discoveries, it was easy for some asteroids to get lost in the shuffle, and 719 Albert was one of them.

The Difficulty of Observing 719 Albert

719 Albert's position in the sky makes it difficult to observe. It has an orbital inclination of almost 20 degrees, which means that it is often obscured by the glare of the sun. Additionally, because it is relatively small and has a low albedo, it does not reflect much sunlight, making it even harder to see.

FAQs about 719 Albert

• What is 719 Albert?

  719 Albert is a small asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered in 1911 by Johann Palisa and named after Albert J. Nickerson.

• How big is 719 Albert?

  719 Albert is estimated to be around 10 kilometers in diameter.

• What is the surface of 719 Albert like?

  Based on observations, 719 Albert has a low albedo, meaning that it does not reflect much sunlight, and its surface is likely dark and carbon-rich.

• Why has 719 Albert been forgotten?

  Several factors have contributed to the obscurity of 719 Albert, including a lack of interest from astronomers, competition from other asteroid discoveries, and the difficulty of observing it due to its position in the sky.

• Is there any ongoing research on 719 Albert?

  As far as we know, there is no ongoing research on 719 Albert. However, it remains an interesting target for future study.

Conclusion

719 Albert may be a forgotten asteroid, but it still holds some intriguing secrets waiting to be uncovered. Perhaps in the future, with improved observational technology and more interest from astronomers, this small rocky body will receive more attention and reveal more about the fascinating world of asteroids.

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Additional Resources

• JPL Small-Body Database browser - 719 Albert
• Minor Planet Center - 719 Albert
• Wikipedia - 719 Albert

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