1827 Atkinson

1827 Atkinson, provisional designation, is a background asteroid from the central regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 9 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 7 September 1962, by IU's Indiana Asteroid Program at Goethe Link Observatory near Brooklyn, Indiana, United States. The asteroid was named after British astronomer Robert d'Escourt Atkinson.

Orbit and classification
Atkinson is not a member of any known asteroid family. It orbits the Sun in the central main-belt at a distance of 2.2–3.2 AU once every 4 years and 6 months (1,629 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.18 and an inclination of 5° with respect to the ecliptic.

The body's observation arc begins with its first identification as at Uccle Observatory in November 1931, almost 31 years prior to its official discovery observation at Goethe Link.

Physical characteristics
In the Tholen classification, Atkinson is similar to a dark D-type asteroid, though with an unusual spectrum (DU). This strongly disagrees with the albedo obtained by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), which indicates that is rather a stony S-type asteroid.

Rotation period
As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Atkinson has been obtained from photometric observations. The asteroid's rotation period, shape and poles remain unknown.

Diameter and albedo
According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, Atkinson measures 8.855 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.249.

Naming
This minor planet was named after British astronomer, physicist and inventor, Robert d'Escourt Atkinson (1898–1982), noted for his contributions to fundamental astronomy. Atkinson pioneered in studying nuclear energy-generation in the Sun and stars. The official was published by the Minor Planet Center on 15 October 1977 (M.P.C. 4236).