11948 Justinehénin


11948 Justinehénin, provisional designation, is a Themistian asteroid from the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 12 kilometers in diameter.
The asteroid was discovered on 18 August 1993, by Belgian astronomer Eric Elst at CERGA in Caussols, southeastern France. It was named for tennis player Justine Henin.

Orbit and classification

Justinehénin orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.8–3.6 AU once every 5 years and 9 months. Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.12 and an inclination of 2° with respect to the ecliptic. The first identification was made at Crimea–Nauchnij in 1973, extending the asteroid's observation arc by 31 years prior to its discovery.

Physical characteristics

Diameter and albedo

Based on an absolute magnitude of 13.2, Justinehénin potentially measures between 6 and 14 kilometers in diameter, assuming an albedo in the range of 0.05 to 0.25. Since asteroids in the outer main-belt are mostly of a carbonaceous rather than of a silicaceous composition, with low albedos, typically around 0.06, Justinehénins diameter might be on the upper end of NASA's published conversion table, as the lower the body's reflectivity, the larger its diameter at a constant absolute magnitude.

Lightcurves

As of 2017, the asteroid's effective size, its composition and albedo, as well as its rotation period and shape remain unknown.

Naming

This minor planet was named for Belgian former professional tennis player Justine Henin. Although her name contains no accent, the asteroid's official name does. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 10 September 2003.