Discovery
The asteroid 10656 Albrecht was discovered on September 25, 1960, during a systematic photographic survey conducted at the Palomar Observatory in California, United States. This survey, known as the Palomar-Leiden survey, was a collaborative effort aimed at discovering and cataloging minor planets. The discovery team comprised Dutch astronomers Cornelis Johannes van Houten and Ingrid van Houten-Groeneveld, alongside American astronomer Tom Gehrels. The observational data were collected using the 48-inch Schmidt telescope at Palomar, with subsequent analysis of the photographic plates carried out at Leiden Observatory.Naming
The minor planet was officially named Albrecht in honor of Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), a celebrated German artist and a pivotal figure of the German Renaissance. Dürer is renowned for his mastery in printmaking, including woodcuts and engravings, as well as his significant contributions to painting and his theoretical writings on art. The naming citation for 10656 Albrecht acknowledges Dürer's lasting cultural impact. The name was proposed by the discoverers, adhering to the tradition of dedicating celestial bodies to significant historical, cultural, or scientific figures.Orbital Characteristics
As a typical main-belt asteroid, 10656 Albrecht orbits the Sun within the asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Its orbital parameters include:- Semi-major axis: Approximately 2.58 Astronomical Units (AU)
- Eccentricity: Approximately 0.16
- Orbital inclination: Approximately 13.8 degrees relative to the ecliptic
- Orbital period: Approximately 4.15 years (or about 1517 Earth days)
These characteristics place it firmly within the central region of the asteroid belt, exhibiting an orbit typical for objects in this population.