79912 Terrell

79912 Terrell is a dark Adeonian asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 6 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 10 February 1999, by astronomers Walter Cooney and Ethan Kandler at the Highland Road Park Observatory, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. The asteroid was named after American astrophysicist Dirk Terrell.

Orbit and classification

Terrell is a member of the Adeona family, a large family of carbonaceous asteroids in the central main belt, named after 145 Adeona.
It orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.2–3.1 AU once every 4 years and 5 months. Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.16 and an inclination of 11° with respect to the ecliptic. The body's observation arc begins with its identification as by AMOS at Haleakala Observatory in August 1996, more than two years prior to its official discovery observation at Baton Rouge.

Physical characteristics

The asteroid's spectral type is unknown. Members of the Adeona family are typically carbonaceous C-type asteroids, which Terrell's albedo agrees with.

Diameter and albedo

According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Terrell measures 6.340 kilometers in diameter and its surface has a low albedo of 0.053.

Rotation period

As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Terrell has been obtained from photometric observations. The asteroid's rotation period, poles and shape remain unknown.

Naming

This minor planet was named after American Dirk Terrell, an astrophysicist, writer, space artist, and mentor of amateur astronomers. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 18 September 2005.