Africa is a member of the Eunomia family (502), a large group of typically S-type asteroids and the most prominent family in the intermediate main-belt.[3][4] It orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.3–3.0 AU once every 4 years and 4 months (1,572 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.12 and an inclination of 14° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] The body's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation at Johannesburg.[6]
Physical characteristics
Diameter and albedo
According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Africa measures 12.22 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.247.[5] Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, Africa measures 13 kilometers in diameter, using an absolute magnitude of 11.8 and a standard albedo for Eunomian asteroids of 0.21, derived from 15 Eunomia, the family's largest member and namesake.[7]
Photometry
As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of Africa has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, poles and shape still remain unknown.[1][8]