14014 Münchhausen

14014 Münchhausen

Discovery
Discovered by	F. Börngen
Discovery site	Karl Schwarzschild Observatory
Discovery date	12 September 1994
Detection method	N/A
Designations
MPC designation	(14014) Münchhausen
Alternative names	1994 PC39
Orbital Characteristics
Semi-major axis	2.9252 AU
Eccentricity	0.0892
Orbital period	5.00 years (1,826 days)
Inclination	1.7883°

14014 Münchhausen is a main-belt asteroid that was discovered on 12 September 1994 by the German astronomer Freimut Börngen at the Karl Schwarzschild Observatory in Tautenburg, Germany. The asteroid is named after the fictional character Baron Munchausen, who is known for his tall tales and adventures.

Discovery and Naming

14014 Münchhausen was discovered as part of a survey conducted by Freimut Börngen, a prolific discoverer of asteroids. The asteroid was given the provisional designation 1994 PC39 before being assigned its permanent number and name. The name "Münchhausen" honors the legendary figure Baron Munchausen, who was a real historical figure but became famous through the fictionalized accounts of his adventures written by Rudolf Erich Raspe.

Orbital Characteristics

14014 Münchhausen orbits the Sun in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It has a semi-major axis of approximately 2.9252 astronomical units (AU), with an orbital period of about 5.00 years. The orbit of Münchhausen is slightly eccentric, with an eccentricity of 0.0892, and it has an inclination of 1.7883° relative to the plane of the ecliptic.

Physical Characteristics

The asteroid has an estimated diameter of about 5.5 kilometers. Its surface albedo, a measure of reflectivity, is approximately 0.21, which is typical for stony S-type asteroids. The absolute magnitude of 14014 Münchhausen is 13.5, indicating its brightness as seen from Earth when it is at a standard distance from both the Sun and Earth.

Cultural Significance

The naming of 14014 Münchhausen reflects the cultural impact of the stories of Baron Munchausen, which have been adapted into various forms of media, including books, films, and plays. The character is known for his exaggerated and humorous tales, which have entertained audiences for centuries.

Also see

• List of minor planets: 14001–15000
• Baron Munchausen
• Rudolf Erich Raspe
• Main-belt asteroid