1122 Neith

Neith is a non-family asteroid from the main belt's background population. It orbits the Sun in the central asteroid belt at a distance of 1.9–3.3 AU once every 4 years and 3 months (1,536 days; semi-major axis of 2.61 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.26 and an inclination of 5° with respect to the ecliptic. The body's observation arc begins with its observation as at Heidelberg Observatory in November 1924, almost four years prior to its official discovery observation at Uccle. == Physical characteristics ==

Neith has been characterized as an uncommon A-type asteroid during a spectroscopic survey after it had previously been classified as X-type in the Tholen taxonomy. The asteroid's surface shows a strong 0.96 μm absorption band (depth of 24%) and a steep slope in the near-infrared region, typical of olivine-rich bodies. The survey was conducted at the NTT, TNG and IRTF telescopes during 2004–2007. Rotation period In September 2008, a rotational lightcurve of Neith was obtained from photometric observations by Julian Oey at the Leura and Kingsgrove Observatory in Australia. Lightcurve analysis gave a synodic rotation period of 12.5990 hours with a brightness variation of 0.08 magnitude (). Diameter and albedo According to the surveys carried out by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS (SIMPS and MSX), the Spitzer Space Telescope (MIPS photometer and MIPSGAL survey) and the NEOWISE mission of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Neith measures between 11.566 and 13.84 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo between 0.206 and 0.4450. The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link derives an albedo of 0.2756 and a diameter of 11.73 kilometers based on an absolute magnitude of 11.67. == Naming ==

This minor planet was named from Egyptian mythology after the goddess of Libyan origin, Neith, goddess of the hunt and of war, believed to be the mother of the Sun. The official naming citation was mentioned in The Names of the Minor Planets by Paul Herget in 1955 (). == References ==