(46590) Akabeko Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 17 November 1992 by Endate, K., Watanabe, K. at Kitami.
“Akabeko” (“red cow”) is the name of a traditional folk toy from the Aizu region of Japan. In a legend, when an infectious disease was rampant, a red-haired cow appeared, absorbed the disease into its body, and saved the people. The name also originates from the cow’s role in transporting materials for the construction of local temples and shrines.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 6, #9, 15), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Akabeko is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Akabeko is 3.29 au from the Sun and 4.26 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 46590 |
| Provisional designation | 1992 WP1 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 9.12 km (#5,672 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.212 |
| Rotation period | 10.9 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.06 |
| Orbital period | 5.33 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.05 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.68 – 3.42 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.122 |
| Inclination | 12.9° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.70 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.