(2246) Bowell

(2246) Bowell is an asteroid that forms part of the outer asteroid belt and was discovered on December 14, 1979 by Edward L. G. Bowell from the Anderson Mesa Station in Flagstaff, United States.

Designation and name

Bowell was initially given the designation 1979 XH. Later, in 1981, it was named in honor of the American astronomer Edward Bowell.

Orbital characteristics

Bowell orbits at an average distance from the Sun of 3,958 AU, being able to move away up to 4,329 AU and approach up to 3,587 AU. The orbital inclination of it is 6.494 degrees and the eccentricity 0.09371. It takes 2876 days to complete an orbit around the Sun.

Bowell belongs to the Hilda asteroidal group.

Physical characteristics

The absolute magnitude of Bowell is 10.56. It has a diameter of 44.21 km and a rotation period of 4,992 hours. The albedo of it is estimated to be 0.054. Bowell is classified in spectral type D.