7648 Tomboles


7648 Tomboles, provisional designation, is a background asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately in diameter. It was discovered on 8 October 1989, by Japanese astronomers Yoshikane Mizuno and Toshimasa Furuta at the Kani Observatory in Kani, Japan. The asteroid was named after Scottish amateur astronomer Tom Boles.

Orbit and classification

Tomboles is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population. It orbits the Sun in the inner main-belt at a distance of 1.9–2.4 AU once every 3 years and 2 months. Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.11 and an inclination of 3° with respect to the ecliptic.
The body's observation arc begins with its first observation as at the Klet Observatory in February 1981.

Physical characteristics

Tomboles has an absolute magnitude of 14.3. While its spectral type is unknown, it is likely a stony S-type asteroid based on the albedo derived from observations with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of this asteroid has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.

Diameter and albedo

According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's WISE telescope, Tomboles measures 3.91 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.20.

Naming

This minor planet was named after Scottish amateur astronomer Tom Boles a discoverer of a minor planet and a record-number of supernovae, using a robotic telescope at Coddenham Observatory in Coddenham, Suffolk, in eastern England. Boles has been the President of the British Astronomical Association from 2003 to 2005.
The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 13 November 2008.